WEST WELWYN SOLAR FARM
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WEST WELWYN SOLAR FARM Black Mountain Developments is one of the UK’s leading renewable energy companies. We are currently evaluating land between Ayot St Lawrence and Ayot St Peter for the development of a solar farm – West Welwyn Solar Farm. These are our current thoughts The design of the solar farm is still being developed and a wide range of environmental assessments are being undertaken to inform the plans.These assessments cover a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to, landscape and visual, heritage and archaeology, ecology and ornithology, flooding and more.We are in the early stages of our plans, so our design, planting and biodiversity enhancement proposals will evolve as we gather local input and results from our ecological, landscape and heritage assessments. Some initial results from these assessments have been shared through the Public Information Days. Key messaging • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published their latest report on the global climate in 2021. The report overwhelmingly strengthens the scientific evidence of the human influence on the climate system. • Commitment to making a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change and supporting the UK to achieve net zero. • More locally, the proposal offers a meaningful contribution in supporting Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council reach its climate emergency targets. • Positive economic, environmental and social benefits to the those that live and work in the region with focus on supporting those that live closest to the development. • Reducing the carbon footprint of a local business and employer. • Ecological and Biodiversity enhancements as part of a comprehensive management plan. • An educational opportunity for future generations to be involved with a local project which supports the fight against climate change and provides a renewable energy source for future generations, maintaining supply and adding to the UK’s energy security. • The solar farm will be entirely self-funded and devoid of any Government subsidy. Benefits of the proposal • Total electricity generated over the lifespan (30 years) is approximately 930 GWh. • This would meet the equivalent demand of 10,731 homes each year. • Saving of an estimated 10,890 tonnes of CO 2 per year. • Saving of an estimated 326,700 tonnes of CO 2 over the life span of the solar farm. • Opportunity for a Community Benefit Scheme subject to views from consultation with the local community and local Council. Biodiversity Enhancements Solar farms are a unique form of energy generation in that a net gain in biodiversity can often be achieved on site. In partnership with an independent ecologist and advice from the Council’s Ecologist and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, we will be proposing a robust set of measures to ensure the current biodiversity value on site is maintained, and more importantly, enhanced as a result of our proposals. Impact on the Green Belt The site and part of the surrounding landscape is situated within Green Belt, but due to the limited visibility of the site as result of existing natural screening by vegetation and topography the potential for impacts to its ‘openness’ will be more limited. Impact on Landscape Character There would be the potential for limited and localised effects on the landscape character of the site itself and its immediate environs. However, again these would be reduced by the nature of the vegetation screening in the landscape and overall be limited in nature. Agricultural Land An Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey of the site is being undertaken by an independent land surveyor. Early indications are that the land is classed as lower grade agricultural land. Historic Environment When considering the proposed site during a desk-based exercise and using the Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV), there are a number of designated assets in close proximity to the site, the site visit and field reconnaissance has identified that the actual visibility between the proposed site an any of the identified designated heritage assets is low to none. Traffic Disruption We are still investigating our preferred route for construction traffic and operational access to the site and this information will be available during the next phase of feasibility. Once the solar farm is in place it requires little maintenance with occasional monthly visits in cars or 4x4s. SUBSTATION FENCING ACCESS GATE PLANT BOUNDARY CCTV CONSTRUCTION GATE POTENTIAL VEGETATION COMPENSTATION
Transcript of WEST WELWYN SOLAR FARM
WEST WELWYN SOLAR FARM
www.westwelwynsolarfarm.co.uk
Black Mountain Developments is one of the UK’s leading renewable energy companies. We are currently evaluating land between Ayot St Lawrence and Ayot St Peter for the development of a solar farm – West Welwyn Solar Farm.
These are our current thoughts The design of the solar farm is still being developed and a wide range of environmental assessments are being undertaken to inform the plans. These assessments cover a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to, landscape and visual, heritage and archaeology, ecology and ornithology, flooding and more. We are in the early stages of our plans, so our design, planting and biodiversity enhancement proposals will evolve as we gather local input and results from our ecological, landscape and heritage assessments. Some initial results from these assessments have been shared through the Public Information Days.
Key messaging • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
published their latest report on the global climate in 2021. The report overwhelmingly strengthens the scientific evidence of the human influence on the climate system.
• Commitment to making a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change and supporting the UK to achieve net zero.
• More locally, the proposal offers a meaningful contribution in supporting Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council reach its climate emergency targets.
• Positive economic, environmental and social benefits to the those that live and work in the region with focus on supporting those that live closest to the development.
• Reducing the carbon footprint of a local business and employer. • Ecological and Biodiversity enhancements as part of a
comprehensive management plan.• An educational opportunity for future generations to be involved
with a local project which supports the fight against climate change and provides a renewable energy source for future generations, maintaining supply and adding to the UK’s energy security.
• The solar farm will be entirely self-funded and devoid of any Government subsidy.
Benefits of the proposal • Total electricity generated over the lifespan (30 years) is
approximately 930 GWh.• This would meet the equivalent demand of 10,731
homes each year.• Saving of an estimated 10,890 tonnes of CO2 per year.• Saving of an estimated 326,700 tonnes of CO2 over the
life span of the solar farm.• Opportunity for a Community Benefit Scheme subject
to views from consultation with the local community and local Council.
Biodiversity EnhancementsSolar farms are a unique form of energy generation in that a net gain in biodiversity can often be achieved on site. In partnership with an independent ecologist and advice from the Council’s Ecologist and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, we will be proposing a robust set of measures to ensure the current biodiversity value on site is maintained, and more importantly, enhanced as a result of our proposals.
Impact on the Green BeltThe site and part of the surrounding landscape is situated within Green Belt, but due to the limited visibility of the site as result of existing natural screening by vegetation and topography the potential for impacts to its ‘openness’ will be more limited.
Impact on Landscape CharacterThere would be the potential for limited and localised effects on the landscape character of the site itself and its immediate environs. However, again these would be reduced by the nature of the vegetation screening in the landscape and overall be limited in nature.
Agricultural LandAn Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) survey of the site is being undertaken by an independent land surveyor. Early indications are that the land is classed as lower grade agricultural land.
Historic EnvironmentWhen considering the proposed site during a desk-based exercise and using the Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV), there are a number of designated assets in close proximity to the site, the site visit and field reconnaissance has identified that the actual visibility between the proposed site an any of the identified designated heritage assets is low to none.
Traffic DisruptionWe are still investigating our preferred route for construction traffic and operational access to the site and this information will be available during the next phase of feasibility. Once the solar farm is in place it requires little maintenance with occasional monthly visits in cars or 4x4s.
SUBSTATION
FENCING
ACCESS GATE
PLANT BOUNDARY
CCTV
CONSTRUCTION GATE
POTENTIAL VEGETATION COMPENSTATION
SUBSTATION
FENCING
ACCESS GATE
PLANT BOUNDARY
CCTV
CONSTRUCTION GATE
POTENTIAL VEGETATION COMPENSTATION
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www.westwelwynsolarfarm.co.uk
If you would like to contact The Black Mountain Development Team, you can email us at:
You can visit our project website which will provide more information on the proposals where you can leave your feedback.
www.westwelwynsolarfarm.co.ukor call us on 01707 707636
Get involved!Electricity demand is set to increase significantly as fossil fuels are phased out, thus increasing the need for a higher proportion of power generated from renewable sources. This is critical to tackling climate change. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council declared a climate change emergency in 2019. The proposal would contribute positively in reducing carbon emissions to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.
It is important to us that the community are fully informed of the plans for West Welwyn Solar Farm so please contact us with your comments by filling in our questionnaire at the Public Information Day or contacting us via the project website www.westwelwynsolarfarm.co.uk or via email at: [email protected]
