Proposed Solar Farm at Grove Farm
Green Switch Capital have written to the Parish Council to inform us of their intention to submit a planning application for a proposed solar farm at Grove Farm. As part of the planning process they held a public consultation to give all residents an opportunity to comment and give feedback. If you missed their meeting, you can give feedback via their website https://www.grovesolarfarm.com/have-your-say
Once a planning application is made, the Parish Council will hold a public meeting to take account of your views before making a comment on the proposals to Babergh District Council who will make the final decision on the planning application.
Marianne Munday, Chair Bentley Parish Council.
3rd October 2022
Details regarding the proposal are available on the developer's website - https://www.grovesolarfarm.com/the-project
From the developer’s website -
The Project
The proposed development shall cover an area of approximately 116.6 acres/48.4 hectares, contained within the existing field boundaries.
The freestanding solar panels are constructed from toughened glass set in an aluminium frame. The panels would be arranged in rows on an east to west alignment facing south to maximise their exposure to sunlight. continued overleaf...
The panels themselves shall be mounted on frames with a front height of approximately 0.8m and a maximum back panel height of approximately 2.7m, which shall result in a tilt angle of approximately 15 degrees.
The rows of panels would be set back from a security fence to prevent overshadowing from adjoining vegetation, and to provide a wildlife buffer. There would also be a separation of 3-4m between each row, again to ensure that the panels are not overshadowed.
The proposed solar panels are fixed into position through piles driven into the ground. No concrete foundations are required and little excavation is therefore necessary.
To ensure the security of the solar farm equipment, security fencing shall be erected around the site boundary to restrict access to the site. This would comprise of 2.4m high deer or similar fencing, which has been selected to minimise the visual impacts of the fencing in keeping with the site's location.
Project Location
The site consists of fields to the north of Potash Lane in the Parish of Bentley. The nearest settlement is Bentley village, 600 m south of the site - see maps below.