The developers of a large scale solar farm are inviting the public to learn more about the plans as a new consultation is launched.
PS Renewables and Ørsted are bringing forward proposals for the One Earth Solar Farm, to be built on farmland surrounding the villages of North Clifton, South Clifton, Fledborough and Ragnall.
Although the project is still in an early stage of development, the proposed solar farm and associated battery storage would connect into the National Grid at High Marnham substation.
Last autumn a first round of consultation gathered public feedback which has been incorporated into updated proposals, which are now the subject of a second round of consultation from May 29 to July 9.
Matt Hazell, co-owner of PS Renewables said: “We are excited to launch the second consultation for One Earth Solar Farm.
“We appreciate everyone who took the time to provide feedback during the first consultation.
“We considered the feedback we received carefully and have made a number of significant changes to the project, which we will present during this second consultation.
“From May 29, we will provide a variety of opportunities to learn more about the updated proposals, including in-person events in locations across the local area and online, where individuals can meet our project team, ask questions, and provide their feedback.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in the proposals to meet with us during this statutory consultation and share their views on our updated proposals.”
The dates and locations of the in-person events are as follows:
• Dunham on Trent Village Hall, on Friday, June 7, from 4pm to 8pm.
• St Peters Church, Newton on Trent, on Saturday, June 8, from 12pm to 4 pm.
• South Clifton Coronation Hall, on Wednesday, June 12, from 2pm to 6 pm.
• Normanton on Trent Village Hall, on Thursday, June 13, from 12pm to 4pm.
• South Clifton Coronation Hall, on Saturday, June 29, from 12pm to 4 pm.
Online webinars will take place on June 18 and July 3 from 6pm to 7pm, via the website, oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk, where anyone interested in finding out more can view the proposals any time from May 29 to July 9.
Speaking on behalf of Ørsted, Randall Linfoot said: “This project marks an exciting milestone for Ørsted as we bring our expertise in renewable energy projects to solar energy in the UK.
“In line with our other projects, we want to work with local residents, community groups, and elected officials to ensure that the project is developed in a way that is sensitive to the community and environment, and that the benefits of the project are felt in the local area.”
If approved, the project would deliver 740 MW of domestically-produced renewable energy to the National Grid, which is enough to power more than 200,000 homes.
In January, a new National Policy Statement for Energy was adopted, which defines large-scale solar projects like One Earth as ‘critical national priorities’ to support the goal of increasing solar development by five-fold to decarbonise the power sector by 2035.
This is part of the UK’s legally-binding target to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050.
As the One Earth project would produce more than 50 MW of energy, it is considered a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’, which means that it will require a Development Consent Order from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Anyone may submit their written feedback through a digital feedback form available at oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk, by emailing info@oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk, or by freepost: One Earth Solar Farm, Freepost SEC NEWGATE UK LOCAL.
Alternatively, the project team can be contacted by calling 0800 169 6507, or by email at, info@oneearthsolarfarm.co.uk.
