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Anglian Water and Bluestone Energy announce plan for Staveley Solar Farm near Pilton in Rutland




A new solar energy capture scheme has been unveiled in Rutland.

Staveley Solar Farm is proposed by Bluestone Energy and Anglian Water, and would see 80 acres of former quarry land south of Pilton turned over to solar panels.

The maximum power output - based on good light levels and sunshine - would be 40 megawatts, which is the equivalent of powering 19,600 homes a year.

A solar scheme could be installed south of Pilton in Rutland. Photo: iStock
A solar scheme could be installed south of Pilton in Rutland. Photo: iStock

If the scheme is given the go ahead, about 10 to 15 per cent of the energy generated would be used at Anglian Water’s water treatment works in Wing.

About 75 to 80 per cent of the energy would be used by Anglian Water to reduce its overall carbon footprint. Remaining energy would be supplied to the national grid.

According to the website for the scheme, Anglian Water has targets to achieve 45 per cent renewable energy generation within two years and become a net-zero carbon organisation within seven years.

A public consultation on the proposed scheme will run from Monday, January 23 until February 28.

Bluestone Energy and Anglian Water will hold two online webinars and an in-person exhibition, giving residents the chance to ask questions.

The exhibition will be at Wing Village Hall in Morcott Road on Tuesday, January 24, from 2pm to 7pm.

The webinars will be on Wednesday, January 25, from 7pm to 8pm, and on Thursday, January 26, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. To register for a webinar email info@staveleysolar.co.uk.

In addition to solar panels, Staveley Solar Farm would have substations housing electrical equipment such as inverters and transformers, and access tracks for maintenance. There would be perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras, along with planting to screen views, most likely through infilling and planting of hedgerows and trees.

Should the application be granted, the solar farm would redevelop the former Staveley Coal and Iron Co Ltd iron ore mine. Construction could start next year and the scheme would take up to a year to complete.

Of the 80 hectares of land, 52 hectares is classed as ‘grade 4’ agricultural, and seven hectares is classed as ‘grade 3’. These are considered ‘lower grade’ agricultural land.

Nearly 18 hectares is ‘grade 3a’, which is considered good quality land capable of generating high crop yields, and 3.6 hectares is ‘grade 2’, considered to be ‘very good quality’.

The solar farm would be classed as a temporary development and would be decommissioned after a period of time - typically up to 40 years.

People can view more details and submit feedback to Bluestone Energy and Anglian Water at www.staveleysolarfarm.co.uk. They can also email info@stavelelysolar.co.uk

Comments received will be reviewed by the project team and set out in a statement of community involvement, which will form part of the formal planning application likely to be submitted to Rutland County Council this spring.

A proposal for a solar scheme near Exton in Rutland made in July last year has not yet been applied for formally. Econergy is expected to submit an application to Rutland County Council.

Mallard Pass, a solar scheme that straddles the border of Lincolnshire and Rutland at Essendine, will be decided by the Government's planning inspectorate because it is so large in size. If approved, it would be the largest solar farm in the UK.

Share your views by emailing smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk



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