30MW solar farm proposed
A solar farm that could produce enough energy to power 7,000 homes is being proposed at Ellough airfield in Suffolk. The solar farm would occupy 150 acres and produce around 30MW of clean and renewable electricity on an annual basis.
South Lincolnshire-based Lark Energy (part of the LarkFleet Group) is planning to develop the solar farm on the site. Local residents are being encouraged to attend a public exhibition tomorrow (Thursday 6 September) to find out more about the proposals and Lark Energy has said that it is keen to address any concerns of local residents.
The proposed site is close to a handful of residential properties and a number of measures will be used to ensure that the solar panels are not highly visible. Existing tree and hedgerow boundaries will be maintained and additional boundaries will be planted to provide visual screening.
A transport management plan will also be prepared in consultation with Suffolk County Highways as part of the solar farm planning application.
Jo Wall, Development Director at Lark Energy, said: “The public exhibition provides us with an opportunity to talk with the local community about our plans and gather feedback before submitting any planning application. We’d like as many residents to attend as possible. We’ve got a lot of experience in planning and delivering solar farms which generate clean energy, whilst enhancing wildlife and conservation and recognising the importance of the character of a particular area.
“The solar farm will provide local jobs during the construction phase and once operational the maintenance of the site will need to be serviced by local companies. We’re also aware of how close our proposed site is to the UK’s largest solar roof installation at the Promens plant and the overall strategic aim for the Ellough Industrial Estate to provide local jobs in renewable energy. We hope that our plans marry with this and underline the local and Suffolk-wide commitment to renewable energy.”
Lark Energy plans to submit a planning application after the public consultation. If given approval, work on the solar farm could start later this year.
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