Green Hill Solar Farm

A wide area is being considered for the cable routes that will connect the Sites to the electricity grid. Alternate routes around Earls Barton and Grendon are being considered and the most suitable route will be selected. Surveys will be undertaken to reduce the search area to a narrower cable route corridor. The cable route will avoid residential gardens.

We understand the importance of public access to the countryside and will seek to maintain and enhance public footpaths and bridleways within Green Hill Solar Farm.

Ecological surveys are being carried out to help us better understand the site, ensure that ecologically valuable areas are identified and safeguarded, and identify opportunities to create new or improved habitats for wildlife. Solar farms have been proven to enhance biodiversity, including through the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The biodiversity value of the site will increase through the creation of new habitats, such as species-rich hedgerows, tree planting and the use of species-rich grassland mixes, alongside the enhancement of existing habitats.

This includes the strengthening of existing wildlife corridors and providing additional shelter and roosting opportunities (e.g. bat and bird nesting boxes, hibernacula, and woodpiles). By managing the site sensitively during the operational phase, as well as generating renewable energy for the climate, the solar farm can also help to benefit a wide range of wildlife locally, too.

Solar farms do not have a detrimental impact on flood risk as only a very small proportion on the solar farm is in direct contact with the ground. Where there are existing areas of potential flood risk the layout of the panels can be designed so that there is a neutral effect on flood risk. Climate Change increases the risk of flooding and is one of the many reasons we need to reduce carbon emissions by switching from fossil fuels to renewables like solar.