FAQs

We have identified several measures to ensure that members of the local community benefit from our work.

Firstly, we have allocated £75,000 to issue through a community benefit fund, which could include investment in local projects, recreational spaces, biodiversity and in addressing social issues such as fuel poverty. The feedback we receive during consultation and engagement with Rutland County Council during our application submission will help determine the focus or scope of the fund.

It should be noted that a Community Benefit Fund is a voluntary commitment by Bluestone Energy and its partners that sits outside the formal requirements of the planning process. Whilst we will have discussions with Rutland County Council about ways in which it could be spent, it will not go to them as the determining authority.

The project would also help provide a reliable source of energy through the amount we export to the national grid, which will help reduce local energy bills over time.

We would also be working to improve biodiversity via active management for the duration of the scheme controlled by condition, in addition to new mitigation planting and landscaping especially in locations such as Morcott Road, where there are gaps in the hedgerow along the boundary. Further details can be found in the ‘Environment and Biodiversity’ questions in the FAQs.

There are a number of factors that have informed the site location and its selection.

The factor of principle importance relating to the siting of solar farm development is proximity to a suitable point of connection to the grid which offers capacity to accommodate the development at a viable cost, which can also be connected to the point of connection via a technically, environmentally and commercially viable connection route.

As a general rule, the further the point of connection from the development site, the less feasible achieving connection is due to the additional costs.  Long cable routes also increase the potential impact of disturbance on the local community and increase the transmission losses and thus decrease efficiency of the overall scheme in generating renewable electricity.

The site has been selected due to its proximity to Wing Water Treatment Works and the Oakham 33kV Substation (the Points of Connection ‘PoC’).

Western Power Distribution has confirmed that the Oakham 33kV Substation has sufficient capacity to accommodate the development.

The second phase is to select a site within a suitable distance of the PoC which meets a number of deliverability and environmental site selection criteria and crucially, is available to deliver a viable solar farm scheme.

As a result of the site selection deployed, no alternative sites, including brownfield sites, have been identified which could deliver the scale of development required.

Use of brownfield sites for utility scale solar farm development is typically not cost effective due to the land values of these site and competing pressure to be used for alternative permanent uses such as housing or commercial uses.  The typical proximity of brownfield sites to existing built areas typically represents an efficient use of land which generates multiplier benefits as a result of the relationship with existing uses and infrastructure.

Furthermore, if brownfield sites were to be alternatively prioritised for solar PV development this would give rise to enhanced pressure to find land elsewhere within the district for permanent types of development such as housing, which would give rise to greater potential for encroachment on the open countryside and impacts which would be significantly greater than temporary solar PV development.  Subsequently, the use of brownfield sites for utility scale solar farm development does typically represent the most efficient or optimum reuse of this land for a temporary period of time with alternative permanent forms of use offering greater social, economic and environmental value.

The Staveley Solar Farm site presents a number of favourable factors regarding selection as a suitable site for solar PV development, as summarized below:

• Proximity to a suitable PoC at both the 33kV substation at Oakham, and also Wing Water Treatment works which will benefit from a direct wire connection.
• Gently sloping south facing site
• Proximity to suitable access from the highways network
• History of use for quarrying and landfill
• The majority of the site has been assessed to comprise predominantly of land which is not ‘Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land’. 59ha of the 80ha site area is lower quality agricultural land. 51.9 ha has been assessed to comprise Grade 4 ‘Poor Quality Land’ and 7.1ha Grade 3b ‘Moderate Quality’ land.
• Lack of Public Rights of Way intersecting the site or in close proximity to the site
• The site has been as assessed by Avian Ecology Limited to confirm that the site and surroundings are not subject to any ecological sensitivity which would preclude the development for solar farm development.
• The site is not situated in or proximate to any areas designated for landscape. The existing conditions at the site and surroundings provide an opportunity to benefit from existing woodland screening and to provide landscape mitigation which ties in with the surrounding landscape character.
• The use of the site for solar farm development would enable ongoing pastoral agricultural use across the area under panel and the concurrent use for solar farm development would support the agricultural diversification and resilience of a larger agricultural enterprise operated by the landowner, extending to a further 1485ha.
• The site is situated in Flood Risk 1 (low) flood risk.
• No designated heritage assets have been identified at the site.

Keeping the solar farm infrastructure safe form theft is an important consideration. The site will have a range of security measures such as 2.4 meter high post and mesh fencing and infrared CCTV throughout the construction and operation of the site

There is no evidence that solar farm development increases the risk of theft in the wider area.

The size of the project has been determined through a range of factors including site feasibility, grid connection including proximity and cost along with Anglian Water’s operational requirements. The energy generated by the scheme on the proposed site will also play an important role in contributing to Rutland’s local net zero and decarbonisation.

The site is not situated within any national or local landscape designations.

Bluestone instructed input from a Chartered Landscape Architect at an early stage in the process to inform the evolution of the site layout which has included desk top research, site visits, and the production of a ‘Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility’ to inform the evolution of the site layout to date with further feedback sought at the pre-application engagement phase.

The initial landscape work was informed by desk study and field assessment to assess the landscape and visual sensitivities at the site and surrounding area to inform the layout and mitigation strategy.  This initial assessment work has been conducted in consultation with the heritage consultant to ensure that any heritage sensitivity has also been taken into account at an early stage to inform the evolution of the layout.

The site benefits from a degree of screening as existing provided by woodland and hedgerow in the area.  Flatter land has been selected in preference to some of the more visible southerly slopes at the site to mitigate against the impact on views from the south.

The layout to date has been designed to respond to the wider context and minimize the effect on any sensitive landscape features and visual receptors.

Following the input received at the public consultation phase the layout is in the process of being reviewed again in response to the comments received.

The landscape mitigation proposed at this includes a mixture of tree belt reinforcement planting, gap planting of existing hedgerow, new double staggered hedgerow with intermittent hedgerow trees, and new hedgerow field boundaries to enclose proposed areas of panels.

Viewpoint photography has been taken at the locations shown in the viewpoint plan. The viewpoint photography was taken in early December to capture the ‘worst case’ views when the trees are not in leaf.

Photomontages have been prepared to show the proposed development in the view from viewpoint locations 4, 5, 6 and 7 identified on each photomontage figure.

At each photomontage viewpoint, a photomontage has been prepared showing the proposed development, including landscape proposals, one year after completion (at Year 1) and fifteen years after completion (at Year 15), to show the effect of proposed planting filtering and screening the proposed development overtime.

The photomontage views have been prepared in accordance with the latest technical guidance provided by the Landscape Institute, referring to Technical Guidance Note 06/19 ‘Visual Representation of Development Proposals’.

Viewpoint 4 was prepared in response in response to comments received by Bluestone at the meeting with Morcott parish council.

Viewpoint 4 is situarted on the bridleway west of North Luffenham Road where there is a gap in hedgerow, at a field gate on the southern side of this bridleway. Viewpoint 5 is on the west side of North Luffenham Road, near a group of residential properties on the east side of this road. Viewpoints 6 and 7 are on the public right of way in the southern context of the site, running between Morcott and Wing Road in the east and the A47 Morcott Road in the southwest.

Views from local roads and Public Rights of Way towards the site (and proposed development) have been assessed as part of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment being prepared for the proposed development.

Viewpoints 5, 6 and 7 have been identified as appropriate to illustrate how the proposed development could look in close public views from a short section of North Luffenham Road in the east (viewpoint 5); in limited private views westwards from local residential properties off North Luffenham Road (viewpoint 5); and in open far reaching views from points on the public right of way in the south looking northwards across the valley towards the site (viewpoints 6 and 7).

Viewpoint 4 also shows an open view from the bridleway north of the site (west of North Luffenham Road) looking southwards towards the eastern part of the site. It is important to note that much of the route of the bridleway is enclosed as existing and therefore the viewpoint included is representative of the ‘worst case’ view from this Public Right of Way.

Landscape proposals shown in the photomontage views include retention of existing boundary hedgerow and trees; ‘gapping up’ of sparse and open sections of site hedgerow to enhance their screening value; allowing hedgerow to grow to at least 3m high to assist in screening proposed solar panels; planting of new hedgerow and trees along a former field boundary east west through the centre of the site (east of Morcott Road); planting of new hedgerow trees to maximise screening and in keeping with tree cover in the site’s context; and new tree belt reinforcement planting along the northern and eastern boundaries of the eastern part of the site to maximise screening of the proposed solar farm in views from the bridleway to the north (Viewpoint 4), and in views from the road and residential properties to the east (Viewpoint 5), and to enhance connectivity with existing woodland and trees in the immediate environs.

We have included a set of images showing how the site will look from these viewpoints during the 1^st and 15^th year of  operation with our proposed mitigation measures in place. You can view these in the ‘About the project’ tab of our project website – https://www.staveleysolarfarm.co.uk/

There will be 2.4m high deer fencing (post & mesh) surrounding the site. At the bottom of the fence would be a 10cm gap to allow passage for small animals.

The proposed location for the site is based on an indicative area of development that may change in line with feedback we receive during consultation. As such, we are unable to start hedgerow planting until the final location is determined and our application is approved by Rutland County Council as the local planning authority.

Also, it needs to be considered that the planting season for trees and hedges runs from November to March.

Under our proposals, the proposed cable route will run from the western side of the Application Site parallel to Wing Road and the A6003 then to Oakham Substation, with a private wire connection and smaller Substation facilitated directly to Anglian Water Wing Water Treatment Works site. The planning application also includes the submission of a Construction Traffic Method Statement which considers the impact of the cable route and propose suitable mitigation.

As raised above the planning application includes the submission of a Construction Traffic Method Statement which considers the impact of the cable route and propose suitable transport mitigation.

We have undertaken extensive environmental survey works to determine and plan appropriate mitigation measures for the environmental and biodiversity impact of the project.

Further information can be found in our Ecological Assessment Report, which also includes the Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan. As well as other accompanying technical reports such as but not limited to the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment; Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Drainage Strategy; Heritage Statement; Arboriculture Impact Assessment; and Phase I Geo-Environmental Assessment.

Ecological survey work has been instructed at this site to be undertaken by professional ecologists, provided by Avian Ecology Ltd.

The first step in the preparation of this report is to undertake an ‘Extended Habitat Survey’ prepared in accordance with the methodology detailed in ‘UK Habitat Classification Use Manual (V1.1) (UKHab, 2020) and which is further extended to provide information on the presence or likely presence of protected and notable species via site visit(s) which involves desk-based research and undertaking a site visit.

Great Crested Newt eDNA survey work and associated reporting has been undertaken at the site and in the surrounding area. The findings of the survey work undertaken has concluded that Great Crested Newt are absent from the site.

Ecological data from the Leicestershire and Rutland Environment Records Centre has also been purchased to inform this study.

The County Ecologist was contacted after the completion of the Extensive Habitat Survey to enquire whether any further survey work at the site was required to inform the planning application for the development proposal.

Leicestershire County Council confirmed that no further survey work was required at the site.

The findings of the Extended Habitat Survey will be incorporated within the ‘Ecological Assessment Report’ which will be submitted as part of the planning application. This report will provide an evaluation of the nature conservation value of the site, implications of development and outline the measures proposed to mitigate and enhance the impact of the proposal.

This report will be prepared in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland (CIEEM, 2018) and completed by suitably qualified ecologists.

The amount of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) that the proposal will give rise too will also be quantified as part of the planning application submission. This will be quantified utilising the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric V3.1. This can be provided as an appendix to the Ecological Assessment Report and provides a quantifiable approach to the delivery of BNG.

A Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan will also be prepared and appended to the Ecological Assessment Report. This will inform and guide the biodiversity enhancements at the site.

The proposed solar farm would include new mitigation planting and landscaping where possible, especially along Morcott Road where there are gaps in the hedgerows along the boundary.

The long field margins, hedgerows and intermittent boundary trees would be retained and safeguarded. There are important rock piles present along the south-eastern boundary of the parcel of land to the west of Morcott Road which would also be protected and not impacted by the solar panels.

New planting would support a diverse range of critical invertebrate species and encourage them to colonise the margins of the site.

We are also proposing dedicated biodiversity enhancement area which will not be under panel which will be managed enhance wildlife and biodiversity.

Solar farm development is temporary and reversible.

The duration of the operational phase and decommissioning and restoration of the site will be controlled via planning condition.

The development will not give rise to any permanent change of use at the site.

The use of the land during the operational phase will enable the existing agricultural activity of sheep grazing ewes to continue at the site.

The BRE ‘National Solar Centre Guidance for Solar Developments’ [1]describes that solar farms present excellent opportunity to increase biodiversity.  The panels are mounted on piles and cause minimal disturbance to the ground, typically disturbing less than 5% of the site area.

Typically, 95% of the field utilized for solar farm development is still accessible for plant growth and wildlife enhancement.

The amount of ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ delivered by the project will be quantified and using the DEFRA the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric V3.1.

The planning application will include a Biodiversity and Enhancement Management Plan which will show how the site will deliver increased biodiversity.

[1] https://www.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/nsc/Documents%20Library/NSC%20Publications/National-Solar-Centre—Biodiversity-Guidance-for-Solar-Developments–2014-.pdf

An Ecological Assessment Report has been submitted as part of the planning application which has considered the impact of the development on the local bird population. Habitats within the Site comprising arable land and modified grassland, do not provide suitable habitats for the qualifying features of the nearby statutory designated sites. The small size of fields within the Site (formed by hedgerows/trees along field boundaries) make the Site unattractive to waterbirds, due to reduced sightlines. The loss of arable land and modified grassland, which is abundant in the wider area, is considered unlikely to have an adverse effect on local non-breeding bird populations of any species. No potential for likely significant effect on Internationally, or nationally protected sites, is considered to occur as a result of the Proposed Development.

An EIA Screening Opinion was submitted to Rutland County Council in November 2022. EIA Screening is the process by which it is determined whether or not a scheme is an EIA Development as per the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and consequently if it needs to be accompanied with an Environmental Statement.

Rutland County Council have determined that the development is not EIA development for the purposes of the regulations  This decision is not just about considering the size of a development but the types of environmental impacts there may be. The detail of the EIA Screening Opinion Request and Opinion received can be viewed online by using the Rutland County Council planning applications search facility and searching for the reference 2022/1351/SCR.

Notwithstanding the fact that the development is not EIA development the Applicant is preparing a detailed planning application submission which will fully appraise the potential for environmental impacts and to inform the provision of suitable mitigation and enhancement measures as part of the proposal.

We will be outlining our full environmental mitigation measures for the project as part of our application submission, which members of the public will be able to view on the Council’s website.

The application will be supported by the following technical assessments:

• Ecological Assessment Report (as detailed above)
• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)The planning application will be supported by a full LVIA prepared by a Chartered Landscape Architect in accordance with various best practice documents and guidance, which will be listed in full within the LVIA, and which includes the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (3^rd edition) (Landscape institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2013).  The full methodology utilized within the LVIA will be provided in an Appendix of the LVIA.
• Access StrategyA Transport engineer has visited the site, undertaken traffic survey works, and liaised within the Highways Authority to inform the design of a suitable means of access to the site by the vehicles required to access during the construction/decommissioning phase.
• Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)The CTMP will provide the detail of the access to the site, the construction traffic route, breakdown of traffic movements, the need for any temporary off-site mitigation including traffic management, and the process for agreeing a condition survey at a later date if ultimately required.   Swept path assessments will be included as part of the CTMP drawn off a topographical survey base.  Detail of any off-site mitigation and management measures required will also be provided within this report.
• Construction Traffic Method Statement (CTMS)A CTMS will be prepared to address the highways implications of the cable route proposed between the site and the Points of Connecting at Wing Water Treatment Works and the substation at Oakham.
• Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Drainage StrategyThe site is situated in Zone 1 for flood risk (i.e. having a less than 1 in 1000 annual probability of river or sea flooding (<0.1%) in any year.  Despite this low risk a Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Drainage strategy is required to be prepared due to the area of the proposal exceeding 1ha to ensure that the flood risk is fully understood in relation to site conditions and to demonstrate that the development would not give rise to any increased flood risk elsewhere.
  • Agricultural Land Classification Survey
  • Noise Impact Assessment
  • Arboricultural Assessment: Tree and Hedgerow Survey; Arboricultural Impact Assessment; Tree and Hedgerow Protection Plan.
  • Glint and Glare Assessment
  • Heritage Impact Assessment
  • Phase 1 Geo Environmental Assessment/Preliminary Risk Assessment and Walkover Survey

The Applicant has sought pre-application advice to confirm acceptability of the scope of the proposed supporting information from Rutland County Council in advance of submission.