The development

BSR Barton Close Farm Solar Park, Devon

Knowl Green Solar Park will deliver the following:

  • A solar development with a total export capacity of up to 49.99 MW. This is the equivalent energy production to powering 12,501 homes every year, resulting in the reduction of 11,072 tonnes of CO2 per year being emitted into the atmosphere.
  • A Biodiversity Net Gain of 67.11% habitat units and 57.95% hedgerow units across the site, far exceeding the 10% Government requirement
  • Improvements to the condition of existing habitats, as well as facilitating the creation of new habitats, including:
  1. The creation of new native hedgerows where required;
  2. Infill hedgerow planting where gaps occur in the existing vegetation, for betterment of the existing landscape and along the By-Way and Public Right of Way (PROW); and
  3. The creation of species rich grassland across the entire site, including rough grassland along the bases of existing vegetation. 

Site layout plan 

  • The solar development will have an operational lifespan of 40 years, meaning that following the decommissioning the land can be returned to agricultural use.
  • Throughout the lifespan of the solar development, there is a significant opportunity for biodiversity to continue and thrive on the site. This is because solar developments take up less than 5% of the land, which will allow for plants to continue to grow and animals to still pass through the site.
  • Solar energy is an affordable and efficient form of green energy which is an important part of ensuring the energy independence of the United Kingdom and working towards meeting the Government set target of net zero by 2050, as well as the COP26 targets for keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C.
  • A Community Benefit Fund will be provided, with Essex Community Foundation, offering a total of £49,990 (£1,000 per MW), ringfenced for the local community to help support local initiatives
  • The creation of jobs through installation, ongoing maintenance, and decommissioning, helping to further support the local economy.

 

BSR's Nature Protection Pledge

Our Nature Protection Pledge means that BSR will, on all its sites including Knowl Green:

  • Manage the land in an environmentally sensitive way tailored to the specific landscape and its species
  • Encourage a mosaic of habitats on our sites, optimising them for biodiversity
  • Enhance any ponds on the site by clearing excess vegetation and shading and removing rubbish
  • Create gaps in fences to promote wildlife corridors for small and medium mammals
  • Undertake soil type tests and plant appropriate wildflowers and grasses. Use locally sourced wildflower seeds where possible and plant seeds of nectar rich species to encourage pollinators
  • Collaborate with local biodiversity action/ wildlife groups and organisations such as the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, to enhance and protect local species
  • Monitor the biodiversity on the site through annual surveys ad-hoc biodiversity inspection sheets for each visit.
  • Display site credentials and biodiversity information for the solar park for visitors and communities.
  • And many more measures… you can read more about the Pledge at britishrenewables.com

2022 community consultation

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the consultation, which took place in 2022. Following an extensive review of all the feedback received as part of our recent public consultation, resulting in a number of changes to the proposals, an application was submitted to Braintree District Council (REFERENCE NUMBER: 23/01413/FUL), and approved in December 2024. Please refer to the ‘Downloads’ page to view our ‘Consultation Feedback Summary’.

During the five-week consultation period with the local community, which included an in-person consultation event and engagement with a variety of local stakeholders, it was found that:

  • Support is high for tackling the climate crisis, with 90.63% of respondents agreeing, or somewhat agreeing that we need to take steps to do so.
  • 77.4% of respondents agreed or somewhat agreed that building new solar developments will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and reach the Government’s target of Net Zero by 2050.
  • 50% of respondents agree or somewhat agree that building new solar developments will assist with the current cost of living crisis.
  • Concerns were raised by a number of respondents about the land being removed from agricultural use.
  • The suitability of the roads along the proposed construction traffic route were also a concern to respondents, with some particularly concerned about the damage that could be caused to the local road network by construction traffic.
  • Biodiversity Net Gain is important to respondents, with 60% saying that the minimum 60% Net Gain which would be delivered as part of the proposals is very important or important.
  • 81% of respondents said that it was very important or important that the site is returned to agricultural use following the decommissioning of the solar development.
  • Respondents strongly support the improvement and creation of habitats as part of the proposals with 97% of respondents saying this was either very important or important to them.

In total, the consultation was advertised to 2,250 addresses surrounding the site through a direct leaflet mailing, 150 letters were also issued to close neighbouring residents and businesses. The consultation was also promoted across social media using targeted Facebook and Instagram adverts. 32 responses were received across the consultation period.

Of these, only 9.4% expressed strong views against the proposals with the majority of respondents either expressing neutral views or support for the delivery of solar in this location. Concerns raised mainly centred around the perceived visual impact of the proposed development, the impact on, and suitability of, the local roads network for construction traffic, and the belief that the land should remain in agricultural use.

Amends made to the scheme in light of feedback included:

  • Removal of the second construction compound to the north east of the site. This follows on from concerns that were raised regarding the diversion of construction traffic along Hickford Hill.
  • The addition of planting to further mitigate any visual impacts of the development. This additional planting includes: three rows of trees to provide additional screening, one along the boundary with Cutbush Farmhouse and the associated barn; one along Baker’s Road on the southern boundary; and one along the site access track going north from the main site entrance.