Clump Farm Solar Limited are proposing to build a solar farm with up to 40MW (AC) on approximately 65 hectares on Clump Farm located between Earl Shilton and Thurlaston in Leicestershire.
We have created this information page and sent an information letter to nearby residents to share project information and gather community feedback. The Clump Solar Farm information page will be available to view throughout the planning application process.
- Clump Farm Solar Limited
Clump Farm Solar Limited is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) wholly owned by BRE/GE Solar Developments Limited which is a company owned by BayWa r.e. UK Limited and Grüne Energien Projekt UG (Haftungsbeschränkt).
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Grüne Energien Solar
Grüne Energien (GE) are our joint venture (JV) partners on this project. With over 12 years experience in solar energy, developing approximately 50 ground-mounted solar projects in the UK since 2011. The Grüne Energien solar teams are based in Germany and the UK.
Through the development process we also work closely with various consultants with expertise in planning and environmental assessment.
Through the development process we also work closely with various consultants with expertise in planning and environmental assessment.
About the project
The proposal will be seeking consent for solar farm to be installed across an area of 65 hectares. The expected generating capacity of the project is up to 40MWac of solar power, which is enough energy to supply approximately 14,000 homes annually with clean, renewable energy.
Latest News
In May 2023 consent was granted via delegated decision from Hinkley and Bosworth District Council. The project will now be progressed with construction planned in 2024/25.
Project Location Map
Clump Solar Farm is located on the northbound carriageway of the A47, south of Peckleton. The current proposal is for an up to 40MW (AC) power ground-mounted solar farm.
The maximum height of the solar panels on both sites will be 2.6 metres from ground level and each site will also house a substation which is enclosed within a green building.
To learn more about the technical infrastructure of a solar farm please click here.
Landscape and Visual
We have carefully considered views from both public locations and private properties; this has influenced the placement of solar panels which have been pulled back in some areas to minimise visibility. In addition to the ecological enhancement that it provides, the hedgerow and tree planting will provide some screening to further reduce the visibility of the solar farm.
We are currently formulating our Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) which will be submitted alongside the planning application. The LEMP will set out all of the improvement measures that we have committed to and explains how we will implement and maintain them throughout the lifespan of the project.
About the Site
The site at Clump Farm covers approximately 65 hectares of land which is currently used for growing crops. Most of the land is classified as moderate agricultural land (Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) grade 3b), with some areas of good agricultural land (ALC grade 3a). The initial site boundary extended further to the northeast, however this was identified as an area of very good quality land (ALC grade 2) and was therefore removed from the site boundary.
Although the land at the site will not be used for agricultural purposes during the lifespan of the project, soil quality will be maintained, and hopefully improved over time, by planting a diverse mix of native wildflower and grass species. When the solar farm is decommissioned, the land will be fully reinstated for agricultural use.
- Ecology
Ecological surveys have been undertaken on the site to identify the important habitats and wildlife to be considered in the development process.
Most of the site is arable land, so is currently of little ecological value. We plan to plant a diverse mix of native wildflowers and grasses across the sites, which will help support the pollinating insects that are important for our wider ecosystem. On the field boundaries and around the perimeter of the site there are areas of hedgerow and woodland. These are important habitats, and no trees will need to be removed to build the project.
We also plan to improve biodiversity and improve visual screening by filling in gaps in existing hedgerow, planting new hedgerows and planting some new trees around the perimeter of the site. With these improvements we hope to provide a rich ecological environment that attracts and supports local birds, mammals, and insects.
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Landscape and Visual
Landscape and visual
- Views from public and private locations have been considered
- Placement of solar panels have been pulled back in some areas to minimise visibility
- New hedgerows and trees will provide screening and ecological enhancement
- Landscape and Ecological Management Plan will set out future improvement measures
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Why here?
Why here?
- Proximity to the Enderby Substation;
- Limited environmental constraints;
- Good levels of solar irradiance.
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Access
An unpaved public right of way (PRoW) runs through the eastern most field of Clump Farm. During the operation of the solar farm the footpath will remain open for public use. There may, however, in the interests of health and safety be a need for temporarily closure during construction.
Our construction and operational access will be taken from the A47 via an existing track that runs through Clump Farm. All construction traffic will be required to approach from the west, avoiding the need to turn into the site from the southbound lane of the A47. No diversions or traffic management will be required on the A47 for construction traffic. To build the project the construction traffic would consist of an average of five lorry deliveries each day at the peak of construction.
Once operational, the site would only be accessed a few times a week by our Operations and Maintenance teams in vans or cars via the A47.
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Proposed access point for Clump Solar Farm
Benefits of Clump Solar Farm
- The solar farm will create a new source of renewable energy for the borough. This is in line with ‘Spatial Objective 12’ of Hinkley and Bosworth’s Borough Council’s current Local Plan Core Strategy
- Producing enough clean, renewable electricity to power up to 14,000 homes each year
- Providing opportunities for biodiversity net gain through hedgerow planting and habitat enhancement to support local wildlife
- Providing local contracting opportunities for civil works during construction wherever possible
- Setting up an annual community benefit contribution fund
The need for the project
The proposal is in response to a pressing need to create a renewable energy supply and combat the effects of climate change. The UK Climate Change Commission published ‘The UK’s path to Net Zero’ in December 2020. The report identified that to achieve ‘net zero’ carbon emissions there is a need for, on average, 3000MW per year of solar power to be installed in the UK to reach the required level of renewable energy generation by 2050.
Next steps
The conditions for the project will be discharged with an aim to start construction in 2025.
Please get in touch using the contact details on the right hand side of this page, or by clicking “contact us” below.
