Plans submitted for Holbeach area solar farm
Plans to create a solar farm capable of delivering enough energy to power 14,400 homes’ have been put forward.
The applicants - London-based AUK PE12 Ltd - wants to use 80 hectares of greenfield land at Holbeach Bank for their development.
The design and access statement, sent to South Holland District Council, by agent AAH Planning Consultants says it is ‘in support of a full planning application for the development of a ground-mounted, 48MW solar farm capable of delivering enough energy to power 14,400 homes annually and associated infrastructure, at land north of Roman Bank and east of Middle Marsh Road at Red House Farm, Holbeach Bank’.
The report added that ‘the site provides an excellent opportunity to provide a low carbon, renewable energy development which integrates well within the wider area’.
It also put forward what it deemed to be positive opportunities the development could deliver.
These include the ‘creation of new habitats, planting of native tree and hedgerow species, and creating high-quality landscape corridors alongside existing highways’ and hedgerow planting to provide ‘visual screening’.
It also states the panels will not extend beyond 3m in height.
An accompanying heritage impact assessment stated: “This report finds that the proposed scheme will conserve the setting and therefore the significance of the relevant heritage assets.
“It is therefore considered that this scheme satisfies both national and local policy regarding the conservation of heritage assets and, as such, the application is politely commended for approval.”
Proposed solar farm plans have courted controversy in the area with both South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes and Green Party member Martin Blake telling this paper they feel farmland in the area should be used for that very purpose, and that solar panels could be more beneficial on the roofs of homes and commercial buildings.
A decision on the plan will be made by South Holland District Council by April 4.
