EDF files to develop 50MW Glassthorpe solar farm

• Permit submission adheres to a year of prep work consisting of consultation with the general public and also surveys in Northamptonshire

EDF Renewables UK has submitted the planning application for a 50MW solar farm in Northamptonshire in England.

The application for the Glassthorpe project, between the villages of Flore and also Upper Heyford, has actually been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council for a decision.

The submission follows greater than a year of preparation, including a consultation with participants of the general public, ecological and usefulness studies, and thorough site assessments which helped establish the last layout of the solar farm.

Because of this, there will be fewer solar panels near to paths and these will be set at a distance of at the very least 10 metres away.

Panels to the west of Midshires Way have been eliminated, with remaining panels in this part of the site placed behind the bush and screened from sight.

EDF Renewables has actually additionally suggested a new short-lived building and construction site access that stays clear of using the junction in Upper Heyford.

Too saving over 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, EDF claimed Glassthorpe would also deliver a community fund of ₤ 20,000 paid every year for the 40-year lifetime of the project, supplying flexible funding to support neighborhood concerns such as instructional efforts, biodiversity plans as well as new kit for regional sporting activities groups, for example.

Improving biodiversity on site is a "crucial objective", EDF stated, with the detailed plans revealing a significant renovation in wild animals environments throughout the site would be attainable by planting 1.3 km of new hedges, in addition to creating a new wildflower meadow and also scrub.

In the longer term, EDF Renewables UK is additionally looking to install EV billing points near to site to assist the neighborhood community shift to electrical vehicle possession.

EDF Renewables development head Darren Cuming stated: "This is an outstanding site for a solar farm, as it's suitably bright, with an agreed grid connection, and also the location is well evaluated.

" We are grateful to local individuals for their input into the appointment and recurring involvement, as well as our purpose is to be an excellent neighbour to the community."