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ABOUT US
Based in Wiltshire, Solstice Renewables was founded in 2013 to
Shareholders include:
develop solar parks across the UK. We are motivated by our belief
that the need for renewable energy in the UK and abroad is critical
and will make a genuine difference to our future. By working closely
Berti Investments Ltd
with local communities, we take particular care to ensure our sites
Berti Investments is one of the leading UK social impact investors,
have a minimal visual impact on the area. We make sure that our
sites are not only providing local renewable energy but also good
community benefits, including improved ecological biodiversity and
educational resources.
The team brings a wealth of experience in large-scale solar
development and renewables more generally, with backgrounds in
farming, social impact businesses, construction and finance.
Harry Lopes, Director
With a background in farming, Harry has been project-managing and
developing renewable projects in solar and wind since 2011, with a
backed by the Bertha Foundation; a family Foundation initiated by
the Tabatznik family. Seth Tabatznik, who is responsible for running
Berti Investments and the investment in Solstice Renewables, is a
passionate environmentalist and is building his own solar farm at his
home in Somerset.
“We invest solely in UK-based environmentally-focused businesses that
benefit society. Sustainable profitability is important, but our primary
objective is environmental impact. Profits generated by Berti will be
reinvested, not distributed to shareholders. Our personal approach
allows us flexibility within our investments”
Seth Tabatznik, Berti Investments.
focus on developing large-scale solar sites for the last two years.
Giovanni Maruca, Director
Gaiger Bros Ltd
Giovanni has over three years’ experience managing solar PV
Sam, Graham and James Gaiger have personally invested in Solstice
developments in the UK.
Renewables. They are the third generation to run the family business
Gaiger Bros Ltd, a highly respected Wiltshire-based construction and
development company.
In February 2014, Met Office Chief Scientist Dame Julia Slingo said the UK had experienced “the most exceptional period of rainfall in
248 years….all the evidence suggests there is a link to climate change.”
G Parker, Westmill Solar Cooperative, 2013
Solar PV & the grid
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are made of strengthened glass
and high purity crystalline silicon. The components are inert and
can be recycled. The glass has an anti-glare coating to ensure as
much solar irradiation is absorbed and converted into electricity
as possible. This means there is little or no glint or glare – there
are numerous solar parks beside airport runways like Gatwick.
Solar PV can still produce power on a cloudy day.
Solar PV is growing rapidly with over 100 countries now sourcing
some of their power in this way. Germany, which gets the same
amount of sunlight as the UK, already sources 5% of its electricity
from solar PV.
Centralised distribution
Old, centralised power
stations creating dirty power
20% of the UK’s CO2 emissions results from energy wasted
in the current centralised fossil fuel power generation.
Source: Greenpeace, DTI
Losses from
transmitting
over long
distances
Distributed generation
Local residents and businesses receive clean power with lower
transmission losses
Convert solar
irradiance to
DC electricity
Convert DC to AC;
Transform 415V to
33kV; protects grid
from faults
PV Panels
The government aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by
2050 to meet the challenges of climate change; and has a target to
generate 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, from
9% currently.
Sub
Station
Inverter, Transformer,
DNO Sub Station
Ed Miliband, 2014: the recent storms and floods are “a wake-up call” and “this is going to be a generational struggle to make sure we
tackle climate change and ensure the security of our people” “we are sleepwalking into a national security crisis on climate change”
Pegasus
Planning
HOW IS A SOLAR PARK BUILT?
Solar Parks can be constructed surprisingly quickly and should take
During the 3- 6 month installation period, construction noise is
between 3 to 6 months. Solstice Renewables will implement best
comparatively low aside from the 4-6 weeks when the legs of
practice during construction to minimise any nuisance to the local
the solar framework are driven approximately 1.5m into the soil,
community where reasonably possible.
removing the need for deep foundations. Plant associated with
the solar park such as inverter cabins will be supported on small
The HGVs used to transport materials to the site will be scheduled
concrete platforms.
and coordinated outside peak hours to minimise any potential
impacts on local traffic.
At the end of the solar park’s life (approximately 25 years) all
hardware can be easily dismantled and removed offsite and
The majority of vehicle movements centre on the delivery of the
mostly recycled. Planning authorities granting consent for a solar
panels and frames for the panels. This requires 16.5m 44 tonne
park usually apply a condition to restore the site to its former
articulated lorries and approximately 6 vehicle movements per MW
agricultural use.
over a 6 – 10 week period.
A Construction Traffic Management Plan has been commissioned
and will be submitted as part of the planning application.
Construction will only start when planning permission is secured.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2013 report states that climate change is “unequivocal,” and “human
influence on the climate system is clear.”
THE SITE
The site comprises approximately 21 hectares of flat agricultural land.
The site lies between Chichester and Bognor Regis. It is approximately
800m south east of Merston and is accessible from the B2166
(Pagham Road). Views of the site from surrounding homes and
villages will be substantially screened by intervening land uses, trees
and hedgerows.
The proposed solar park at Merston will have an installed capacity of
11.4MW, providing enough green energy to power the equivalent of 3,300
homes and saving 4,730 tonnes of CO2 annually. The site will help West
Sussex meet its own renewable energy targets. The site has been carefully
selected as a suitable location in the area for the following reasons:
• The local grid network is one of the few places in the South with
remaining grid capacity to accommodate significant renewable
generation.
• Solar irradiance – the light levels around Merston are in the top 5%
of the country.
• The site is free from AONB, SSSI, National Park areas, flood risks,
and is based within relatively flat land.
• Visual impact – The hedges and tree lines surrounding the site
provide a natural barrier that screens the nearby residents and
community. The surrounding land is flat meaning the presence of the
solar park will not be prominent within the wider landscape.
• Good Access – Pagham Road is suitable
for Heavy
Merton
Site,Goods Vehicles
(HGVs) allowing easy access to the site
during
construction.
West
Sussex
Site Location Plan
Lord Stern, author of the 2006 Stern Review, said: “The record rainfall and storm surges that have brought flooding across the UK are a clear sign that we
are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.”
Sustainable Power Partners Ltd
 
www.pegasuspg.co.uk
Design – A Sustainable
Agri-Energy Park


The land within the solar park will continue to be cultivated.



University; a leading institution delivering high quality research,


Solstice Renewables is working with Cirencester Royal Agricultural





consultancy, and education relating to the rural environment since
1842, on an innovative Contract Research programme to identify the
best crops to grow.
Height cm
Age +
Times
Transpl
Height cm
Root
Condition
Age +
Times
Transpl
Species
Code
Root
Condition
2x
2x
1+1
150-175
1u1
150-175
1+1
Main site access
150-175
150-175
100-125
100-125
40-60
2x
2x
Betula pendula (30%)
Bagged
1+1
100-125
(Transplants @
5 per linear metre
in double staggered row)
Quercus robur (30%)NATIVE HEDGEROW
Bagged
1u1
100-125
Salix caprea (10%)
Bagged
1+1
40-60
Root
Condition
Bagged
Bagged
Bagged
9cm pot
Bagged
Height cm
Species
Crataegus monogyna (40%)
Corylus avellana (20%)
Cornus sanguineum (10%)
Ilex aquifolium (20%)
Prunus spinosa (10%)
Age +
Times
Transpl
Code
CM
CA
CS
IA
PS
Bagged
Bagged
Bagged
9cm pot
Bagged
1+1
1+1
1+1
1+1
Height cm
Crataegus monogyna (40%)
Corylus avellana (20%)
Cornus sanguineum (10%)
Ilex aquifolium (20%)
Prunus spinosa (10%)
Age +
Times
Transpl
Species
CM
CA
CS
IA
PS
Root
Condition
Code
Drain

Blackfield Barn
• 30% of total area covered by panels but only 1% of the area
actually disturbed by footprint.
1+1
1+1
1+1
1+1
40-60
40-60
40-60
30-40
40-60

40-60
40-60
40-60
30-40
40-60
ESS
in
Main site access
in
Existing hedgerow to be
strengthened and any
gaps infilled with native
hedgerow species

Drain
• Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained and new tree and
hedgerow planting is proposed to improve visual screening and
ecological value.
Existing hedgerow to be
strengthened and any
gaps infilled with native
hedgerow species
Dra
ESS
FB
Dra
• Existing drainage ditches to be improved.
Co
st, C
Con
P
D
&E

Bdy
CD
Drain
D
DNO housing and
substation
• Beehives to benefit from the abundance of pollen produced by
the proposed wild meadows.
Temporary construction
compound
Main site access





rain



1m
9
0.
RH
Drain
• The whole area will move from conventional farming to being
managed as a mixed use Sustainable Agri-Energy Park that
generates 11.4MW of renewable electricity, crops and a
biodiversity haven for the duration of the solar park. FB
Co
CP
nst,
dy
DB
&E
Co
ain
Dr
Existing hedgerow to be
strengthened and any
gaps infilled with native
hedgerow species
4.7m
CD
Drain
rain
D
DNO housing and
substation
Reservoir
Temporary construction
compound
Pond
0
100m
1m
9
0.
David Cameron, 2014: “I agree with you that we are seeing more abnormal weather events. Colleagues across the House can argue about whether that is
linked to climate change or not. I very much suspect that it is.”
Drain
RH
ain
Dr
Existing hedgerow to be
strengthened and any
gaps infilled with native
hedgerow species



Blackfield Barn
• In the field margins local, native wild flowers and grasses will
be sown.
Main site access

Drain
Bagged
Bagged
Bagged
Bagged
Bagged
in
NATIVE HEDGEROW (Transplants @ 5 per linear metre in double staggered row)
• 2.5 m maximum height of individual panels above ground level.
• 4 m spacing between panel rows, from panels to proposed deer
fence line and from deer fence line to boundary hedging.
Acer campestre (20%)
Alnus glutinosa (10%)
Betula
pendula (30%)
Bagged
Quercus robur (30%)
SalixBagged
caprea (10%)
Drain

Secondary site
access (O & M use)
AC
AG
Acer campestre (20%)BP
QR
Alnus glutinosa (10%)SC
in
Dra
Dra
Drain
• Six inverter cabins 3m high distributed throughout the site. AC
AG
BP
QR
SC
Secondary site
access (O & M use)
Species
Code
NATIVE TREES INTERPLANTED
WITHIN
NATIVE
TREESHEDGEROWS
INTERPLANTED WITHIN HEDGEROWS
4.7m
views
Photoview Location
The proposed development will not be widely visible, with limited views due to existing screening provided by vegetation.
Planting of new hedgerows will further help screen the site.
Polytunnels at Groves Farm
Approx. extents of Field 1
Field 2 (beyond field boundary) Blackfield Barn
Camera make &
Polytunnels at Groves Farm
Roundstone Nursery
Date & time of p
Photoview 1
OS grid referenc
Viewpoint height
Distance to site
1
2
Photoview Location
Camera make & m
View from public footpath south of Manor Farm facing south east
Roundstone Nursery Glasshouse
South Downs Polytunnels at Groves Farm
Date & time of ph
KEY
Approx.
extents of Field 1 (Field 2 beyond)
Butterlees Farm
Photoview 5
OS grid reference
Site Boundary
Copyright
Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2013 emapsite Licence number 0100031673.
View from public footpath south of Manor Farm facing©south
east
Viewpoint height
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. Any queries to be reported to P
Photoview Location
Camera make & model
- Canon 5D
Date & time of photograph
- 27/01/2014 @ 14:58
OS grid reference
- 489658,102468
Viewpoint height (AOD)
- 5m
Distance to site
- 580m
Distance to site
1
2
Proposed Solar Development,
Merston
1
Photoview Location
I T 01285 641717 I F 01285 642348 I www.pegasuspg.co.uk I
2
0
Client : Sustainable Power Partners
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 2014 Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449.
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. All Queries to be reported to Pegasus for clarification.
View from footpath south of the site close to Buterlees Farm, looking north
Public Footpath and
access track to Park Farm
Butterlees Farm
Revisions
Date
A - First Issue
08.01.14
KEY
Roundstone Nursery Glasshouse
BRS.4543-08-A Photoviews
Photoview 6Field 2 (beyond hedgerow)
Approx. extents of Field 1
Field 2 (beyond hedgerow)
Merston
West Sussex
SiteSite,
Boundary
Camera make & m
Polytunnels at Groves Farm
Photoview 6 continued
Date & time of ph
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2013 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. O
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. Any queries
to be reference
reported to Peg
OS grid
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2013 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright LicenceSite
number
100042093
Location
PlanI Promap Licence number 100020449 .
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. Any queries to be reported to Pegasus for clarification
View from footpath south of the site close to Buterlees Farm, looking north
Client:
Photoview Location
Camera make & model
- Canon 5D
Date & time of photograph
- 27/01/2014 @ 16:25
0
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 2014 Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449.
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. All Queries to be reported to Pegasus for clarification.
Drawn by: JS
Checked by: RVF
Date: 08.01.14
BRS.4543_05-A
- 489993,101343
1:25,000 @ A3
1 km
1
(
N
Viewpoint height (AOD)
- 5m
Distance to site
- 350m
2
KEY
1
I T 01285 641717 I F
Site Boundary
2
View from footpath south of the site, looking towards the southern corner of the site
View from footpath south of the site, looking towards the southern corner of the site
- Canon 5D
Date & time of photograph
- 27/01/2014 @ 16:38
OS grid reference
- 490298,101335
Viewpoint height (AOD)
- 5m
Proposed Solar Development,
01285 642348
I www.pegasuspg.co.uk I
Merston
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 2014 Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449.
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Drawing prepared for planning. All Queries to be reported to Pegasus for clarification.
Photoview Location
Camera make & model
Distance to site
>
OS grid reference
I T 01285 641717 I F 01285 642348 I www.pegasuspg.co.uk I
Viewpoint height (
Sustainable Power Partners Ltd
Revisions
Date
A - First Issue
08.01.14
Merston Site, West Sussex
Client : Sustainable Power Partners
BRS.4543-08-A Photoviews
0
‘before & after’ views
The before and after views of the proposed landscape mitigation demonstrate that the existing limited views can easily be screened by the planting of hedgerows.
Existing
view
Existing view
Existing
view
Existing view
Existing view
Existing view
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR
with a fixed 50mm lens.
For
Document
correct perspective
dimensionsviewing,
(420mmthis
x 297mm)
image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been take
Existing
view View Year 1
Photomontage
Photomontage View Year 1
Existing
view View Year 1
Photomontage
Photomontage View Year 1
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 14:58
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 14:58
OS reference : 489658, 102468
OS reference : 489658, 102468
Viewpoint height : 5m
Viewpoint height : 5m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Angle of view : 75˚
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
OS reference : 489993, 101343
OS reference : 489993, 101343
Viewpoint height : 4m
Viewpoint height : 4m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Angle of view : 75˚
Proposed
Proposed Solar
Solar Development,
Development,
Merston
Merston
Viewpoint 1 - Year 1
Viewpoint 1 - Year 1
Proposed
Proposed Solar
Solar Development,
Development,
Merston
Merston
Viewpoint
Viewpoint 5
5 -- Year
Year 1
1
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
February 2014
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
Team: CS/RVF
February 2014
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
Team: CS/RVF
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
©
Copyright
Pegasus Planning
Group
Ltd. ©
Crown copyright,
Pegasus
Environmental
is part of
Pegasus
Planning
Group Ltd.All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
©
Copyright
Pegasus Planning
Group
Ltd. ©
Crown copyright,
Pegasus
Environmental
is part of
Pegasus
Planning
Group Ltd.All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
Photomontage View Year 1
Photomontage View Year 1
Photomontage View Year 5
Photomontage View Year 5
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date south
& time ofeast
photography
27.01.14 @ 14:58
View
from: footpath
near Manor
OS reference : 489658, 102468
Viewpoint height : 5m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 14:58
OS reference : 489658, 102468
Viewpoint height : 5m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
Farm
Proposed Solar Development,
Merston
Viewpoint 1 - Year 5
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date &
time offrom
photography
: 27.01.14
@ 16:24
View
north
footpath
near
Buterlees
Farm
Proposed
Solar
Development,
OS reference : 489993, 101343
Merston
Viewpoint height : 4m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Viewpoint 1 - Year 1
Angle of view : 75˚
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
OS reference : 489993, 101343
Viewpoint height : 4m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Proposed Solar Development,
Merston
Viewpoint 5 - Year 5
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number
© Copyright
100020449
Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 1
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
‘before & after’ views
Photomontage View Year 1
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
OS reference : 490298, 101335
Viewpoint height : 2m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Existing view
Existing view
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance S
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
Existing
view View Year 1
Photomontage
Photomontage View Year 1
For correct perspective viewing, this image must be viewed at a distance of 30cm with one eye ,whilst curved through 75°. These photoviews have been taken using a Canon 5D DSLR with a fixed 50mm lens. Document dimensions (420mm x 297mm)
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
OS reference : 490298, 101335
OS reference : 490298, 101335
Viewpoint height : 2m
Viewpoint height : 2m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
Angle of view : 75˚
Proposed
Proposed Solar
Solar Development,
Development,
Merston
Merston
Viewpoint 6 - Year 1
Viewpoint 6 - Year 1
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
February 2014
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
Team: CS/RVF
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
©
Copyright
Pegasus Planning
Group
Ltd. ©
Crown copyright,
Pegasus
Environmental
is part of
Pegasus
Planning
Group Ltd.All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
Photomontage View Year 5
Camera make and model: Canon EOS 5D with a 50mm lens.
Date & time of photography : 27.01.14 @ 16:24
OS reference : 490298, 101335
Viewpoint height : 2m
Viewing distance : 30cm
Angle of view : 75˚
View north east from footpath
Proposed Solar Development,
Merston
Viewpoint 6 - Year 5
Drawing Ref: BRS.4543_10-B Photomontages
Client: Sustainable Power Partners
February 2014
Team: CS/RVF
© Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2014 emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093 I Promap Licence number 100020449
Pegasus Environmental is part of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd.
biodiversity
Farmland ecology in decline
ecological BENEFITS OF THE SOLAR PARK
Since the advent of modern intensive agriculture
UK ecology has suffered massive decline rates
as shown by the statistics in this table.
Solar parks provide an excellent way to help tackle the decline in UK ecology whilst still
using the ground for agriculture and generating renewable electricity.
Specific farmland
Animal group
species
Bird
Mammal
Insect
Corn bunting
Grey Partridges
Skylark
Starling
Tree sparrow
Turtle dove
Brown hare
Water vole
Butterflies
Bees
Moths
Study period
Decline in
population (%)
1970 - 2011
1970 - 2011
1970 - 2011
1970 - 2011
1970 - 2011
1970 - 2011
1995 - 2002
1989 - 1990, 1996 - 1998
1990 - 2012
1968 - 2008
1968 - 2007
90
91
59
81
90
95
49.4
88
49%
40%
28%
A mixed solar park and agricultural use is
proposed. The land in between the arrays
will remain in cultivated agricultural use.
Solstice Renewables have agreed to work with
Cirencester Royal Agricultural University to
identify suitable crops to grown on site.
They provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies, farmland birds and small mammals
such as field mice. The land will be organic, free from monoculture, pesticides and
fertilizers. Solar parks require very little maintenance and the lack of human activity is
important for wildlife.
Bee hives will be sited on one part of the site in order to use the pollen produced on the
site to help with the colony losses occuring across the world and the country.
Other ecological improvements including filling out hedgerows to create habitat.
The graphs below compare the amount of wild flowers, butterflies and bumblebees on a
solar farm and on adjacent agricultural land. The results indicate that, with appropriate
land management, solar farms can show increases in important UK wildlife. The solar
farm in question – Site 1 – was seeded with a wild flower meadow mix.
Sir David Attenborough, 2011: “no doubt” that climate change was “man made”
G Parker, Westmill Solar Cooperative, 2013
Economic
BENEFITS
social
BENEFITS
Farm diversification
Educational Opportunities
The installation of solar panels on agricultural land
provides farmers with a fixed and secure rental income,
which rises in line with inflation irrespective of the weather
or any other external factors, helping protect farmers from
the increase in extreme weather. This is not just beneficial
for local farmers but good for the local community as
farming can be maintained and the landscape retains its
agricultural character.
Local schools are being offered field trips to the solar park and educational
resources to help learn about climate change, renewable energy & their
neighbouring ecology. The presence of a solar park within the local area will
raise awareness of renewable energy and may spark an increased interest in
environmental issues.
Community Pride
The presence of a solar park will help make the area a greener, more sustainable
place to live and work, helping to foster a sense of environmental stewardship locally.
Land inbetween the arrays will remain in cultivated agricultural
use and will continue to provide a source of income.
Preservation of the rural way of life
JOB SECURITY
Alongside the production of renewable energy, the agricultural use of the land will
be maintained either through sheep grazing or growing crops.
Where possible, Solstice Renewables will employ local people
to carry out the ongoing maintenance of the land and site once
the park is operational.
At the end of the Solar Park’s life all hardware will be dismantled, removed and
recycled.
Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general, 2014: “Climate change is
every much a security threat as an armed group bent on plunder.”
Philip Hammond, UK Defence Secretary, 2014: “Climate change is "clearly a
factor" in the period of stormy weather the UK has been experiencing.”
FAQS
What does a solar park consist of?
All solar parks require the following:
-- A sub-station operated by the District Network Operator with sufficient capacity.
-- Electrical apparatus onsite including a private sub-station and a number of inverter cabins that are evenly distributed throughout the site.
The inverter cabins are approximately 3m high.
-- A clearance gap at least 4m will be placed in between each row of solar panels to allow space for maintenance vehicles, sheep grazing and
cropping where appropriate to prevent shading of panels.
-- Perimeter fencing, consisting of a 2m high deer fence. The fence is required as a security measure and needs to meet British Standards to
ensure adequate insurance cover can be obtained against theft or damage.
-- Other security measures include thermal imaging cameras and CCTV cameras to detect any intruders and alert the monitoring team.
The security cameras can work during the night without any lighting. No lighting is proposed.
What does the inverter do?
PV solar panels produce high voltage (more than 400v) direct current (DC) electricity. It is the job of the inverter to convert this DC current to
240V 50Hz alternating current (AC), which is the standard voltage used by the appliances in your home.
IPCC, 2013 The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at least
the last 800,000 years. Carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions
and secondarily from net land use change emissions. The ocean has absorbed about 30% of the emitted anthropogenic carbon dioxide,
causing ocean acidification.
FAQS
What about glare from the solar panels?
The latest photovoltaic technology means very little energy is lost
through reflection. Any glare is minimised through using translucent
coating materials to improve light transmittance through glass. In
fact, grass produces more glare than a PV array.
Is there any pollution or nuisance associated
with solar parks?
The development involves the installation of PV panels that generate
electricity without any noise, vibration or pollution by converting
irradiation from the sun into renewable energy.
how will my comments be dealt with?
Solstice Renewables is committed to offering local communities the
opportunity to feed back on the design process and influence the
development. The planning application submission will contain a
report outlining how your opinions and thoughts have been addressed
and considered throughout the design evolution of the scheme.
Do the panels require maintenance?
The panels will require cleaning 2 to 3 times a year to maintain
efficiency. The panels have a lifespan of 30 years and should not
need replacing. The inverters may need replacing once during the
life span of the solar park.
How is the land managed while the solar park
is in operation?
A specialist land management team will be employed to maintain
the site throughout the operation of the solar park. The team will be
responsible for implementing the landscape strategy that includes
the planting of trees, hedges and a wildflower meadow with sheep
grazing or crop growth in between the solar panels. The hedgerows
will be maintained to a height of 3m.
What about flood risk?
Rain water runoff from the site will not increase from the presence
of the panel arrays and it will not displace any floodwater. A full flood
risk assessment has been commissioned and will form part of the
planning submission for the Councils consideration.
Is more energy used to make the panels than
the panels produce?
The energy payback periods for solar panels have reduced
significantly over time and most solar parks neutralise their energy
consumption within 2-5 years.
Can I provide my comments directly to the
Council?
Yes but not yet. The Council will carry out a public consultation as
part of the planning process when you will have the opportunity to
make comments formally. The technical reports that will support the
application will be publicly available. They are then reviewed in depth
by the Council and will be subject to rigorous scrutiny.
Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, 2014: “This is the year to take action on climate change. There are no excuses.”
LAND USE
Solstice Renewables are proud to be making the most of the land
within all our solar parks. As well as continuing to farm the land
in the form of winter sheep grazing or cropping, the land may
also be used to create a biodiversity haven with wild grass and
flower meadows sown across the whole site. Whilst the land below
and around the panels continues to be used for agriculture and
additionally for ecological improvements, the panels themselves add
a third use: renewable power generation.
Solar PV
EU Environmental scheme
Remaining agriculture
Across the UK the amount of land proposed by the Department for
Energy & Climate Change (DECC) for ground mounted solar PV is
relatively small. Greg Barker, the Minister for Energy and Climate
Change, has set a target of 20GW of solar PV by 2020. If 50% of
this were ground mounted this would correspond to 50,000 acres,
enough to power three million homes. This represents 0.12% of
the 42 million acres of UK agricultural land. In comparison over
ten times this amount at 570,000 is committed to be taken out of
agricultural production by EU-legislated environmental schemes
in 2015 at approximately 5% of arable land. These are shown in the
graph. Source: Defra.
Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander of the US forces in the Pacific, 2013: upheaval caused by global warming “is probably the
most likely thing that is going to happen … that will cripple the security environment, probably more likely than the other scenarios we all
often talk about.”
G Parker, Westmill Solar Cooperative, 2013