Huge 123 Acre Solar Farm Proposal Submitted Near Yate
A planning application for a large solar farm near Yate aims to power over 10,000 homes annually
Yate, UK, Solar Farm, RWE, Sustainable Energy
Yate: A new solar farm is in the works! RWE has put forward a proposal for a massive 123-acre solar farm just outside Yate. They’ve submitted their planning application to the South Gloucestershire Council, and it’s all about sustainable energy.
This solar farm would sit on agricultural land south of Yate and Chipping Sodbury. If approved, it could generate enough electricity to power over 10,000 homes each year. That’s pretty impressive, right?
Before this application, RWE reached out to the community for feedback. They sent letters to over 2,500 people and even held an in-person consultation that 67 folks attended. The response was mostly positive, with 64% of people showing support or neutrality towards the project.
Ben Kwok, the Development Project Manager at RWE, expressed gratitude for the community’s input. He mentioned that the feedback was super helpful in refining their plans. They want to make sure they’re not just reducing carbon emissions but also working closely with the community.
In response to local suggestions, they’ve included a ‘no development area’ and a biodiverse community space near Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve in their proposal. RWE aims to collaborate with local representatives on planting and designing the area to support conservation efforts.
To keep the solar farm in harmony with the surroundings, they’re planning to plant new hedgerows and trees. They’ve even adjusted their original plans to minimize the visual impact of the solar panels and battery storage systems.
On top of that, RWE is proposing a community benefit fund of up to £194,000. This fund could help support sustainable projects in the area, like installing rooftop solar on community buildings.
RWE hopes this solar farm will help South Gloucestershire Council meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, especially after declaring a climate emergency back in July 2019.
If you’re curious about the planning application, you can check it out online by searching for reference P24/03001/F on the South Gloucestershire Council’s website.