Thorpe Park Solar
Low Carbon's proposed approximately 30 megawatt (MW) Thorpe Park Solar Farm is being reviewed by Tendring District Council (planning ref 22/02117/FUL).
The site is relatively isolated, located approximately 1km to the south of Thorpe-le-Soken on two parcels of land which are intersected by the Sunshine Coast railway line.
The site has a proposed 48.3% increase in habitat units, such as bird and bat boxes etc. and 858.5% increase in hedgerows.
Welcome to
Thorpe Park Solar
The proposed project is a solar farm located approximately 1km to the south of Thorpe-le-Soken on two parcels of land which are intersected by the Sunshine Coast railway line.
Thorpe Park Solar Farm will have the capacity to produce approximately 30 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity. This site will produce enough renewable electricity to provide power to approximately 9,600 homes each year as well saving over 5,400 tonnes of CO2.
Timeline
- March 2021
EIA Screening & Parish Consultation
Completed 2021-03-31 - June -July 2021
Community Consultation
Completed 2021-07-07 - December 2022
Planning application resubmission to Tendring District Council
Completed 2022-12-19 - Summer 2022
Tendring District Council will consider and determine the application
- Spring/Summer 2023/4
Commencement of Construction (if planning permission is granted)
Additional Information
Following discussions with the Tendring District Council, we have resubmitted our application with no changes and are working with the Council to overcome comments raised in the decision notice. There are no outstanding objections to the scheme.
Please click here to view the application (reference number: 22/02117/FUL)
Benefits
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the site is improved for nature and shows a biodiversity net gain, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats whilst allowing the land to recover from a monocultural environment. We are thereby creating a species rich haven for wildlife.
Planning conditions tend to require both a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and a Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan (LBMP) to be submitted for approval. The former deals with the construction process measures whilst the latter deals with post-construction measures and those throughout the operation of the project.
PROW
We would look to keep the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) open throughout construction and operation of the solar farm. If possible and to maintain the enjoyment of these paths we look to include buffers of meadow or wildflower planting and a thick hedgerow to help screen direct views of the solar farm.
Beehives
We encourage the siting of beehives within the solar farm, which not only helps to pollinate nearby crops and plants but provides a secure environment with readily available food sources. The hives are tended by trained local beekeepers to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon is committed to working in partnership with local landowners to provide where possible a unique and innovative space for them to graze their sheep amongst the solar panels.
Grazing sheep at our sites has proved to be hugely popular amongst our landlords for several reasons, notably because the sites are secure which means the sheep are safe and the solar modules provide shelter from the winds and shade from the sun and rain.
Planting
Our sites are designed around existing hedgerows and trees. We look
to enhance the site with additional planting of native species of hedgerows, trees, pasture-mix grasses and wildflowers.Community Benefit
Low Carbon will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels and energy storage facilities?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will there be noise and visual impacts from Thorpe Park Solar Farm?
As part of our design of the project, we ensure the levels of noise produced by the equipment onsite is within an acceptable range. Low Carbon will comply with any noise conditions stipulated by the planning authority.
Similarly, studies are ongoing to ensure the visual impact of the Solar Farm on the local landscape is minimised. This will include screening and the installation of other mitigation measures in the appropriate locations around the perimeter of the land available for the project.
Will Thorpe Park Solar Farm use land that could be used from growing crops for food production?
There is always a balance to be found when new development comes forward, with many factors and impacts to consider. Due to its proposed location, Thorpe Park Solar Farm will potentially utilise land that could be used for agricultural production.
However, the land take involved is minimal in the context of food production across Essex and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.
Key Project Documents
In this section, you will find key information about the project which you able to download and view or print at home.