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Ground mounted solar FAQs
The council have completed the initial feasibility work for the ground mounted solar project.
The Council contracted Public Power Solutions (PPS) (PPS) to undertake a high level review of the 4 proposed sites including an appraisal of technical constraints and initial planning considerations.
The Council also contracted PPS to prepare and submit a tailored scope of works for the following:a. Heritage Impact Assessment
b. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
c. Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
d. Agricultural Land Classification assessmentThe 4 proposed sites are:
Hastings Country Park
1. Field south of the milking parlour
2. Partial field to the west of the milking parlour
3. Helipad siteUpper Wilting Farm, Crowhurst
4. Part of a field adjacent to Upper Wilting Farm
Latest Update - May 2020
In January 2020, Natural England responded to the council and confirmed we were considered eligible for the Discretionary Advice Service (DAS). The DAS advised on the impacts of placing the arrays in the Hastings Country Park nature reserve in a report dated 1 May 2020.
The council has also been completing a review of its major projects in the light of COVID-19 and the council's likely new position in terms of budget and officer resource available.
As a result of Natural England's response, as well as the review of all planned major projects, the council have decided not to pursue the installation of Solar Arrays at the country park.
Officers are continuing to explore other renewable energy schemes, such as roof top solar and solar car ports. These will be developed in partnership over the coming months.
Read the Discretionary Advice Service Report
Update January 2020
The above studies for each of the proposed sites have now been completed and reviewed by PPS and the Council.
Of the four proposed sites, two of the sites have been discounted for further development at the moment.
These are:
Hastings Country Park
The partial field to the west of the milking parlour which falls within a 100m exclusion zone around a military aircraft crash site designated as a war grave, which is protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Upper Wilting Farm
Part of a field adjacent to Upper Wilting Farm may fall within a potential site of a WW2 aircraft crash site although the exact location is unclear; the aircraft site is protected under the Protection of Military remains Act 1986. Any further exploration of this site would require a licence from the Ministry of Defence.
Discretionary Advice Service (DAS) request submitted to Natural England
PPS have requested advice from Natural England (NE), completing the Discretionary Advice Service application on behalf of the Council for the two sites in Hastings Country Park
- Field South of the milking parlour
- Helipad site
The Council is waiting to hear back from NE as to whether the Discretionary Advice Service application has been accepted by NE as eligible for DAS. If considered eligible, then NE will confirm the scope of the assessment, timescales and costs of this initial advice, within 15 working days, this is expected early in the new year.
Update - August 2019
We are currently in the process of appointing contractors to conduct the above studies on the following sites:
Hastings Country Park
- Field south of the milking parlour
- Partial field to the west of the milking parlour
- Helipad site
Upper Wilting Farm, Crowhurst
- Part of a field adjacent to Upper Wilting Farm
There are a number of reasons:
- We aim to make Hastings carbon neutral by 2030, with an aim for the town to become energy self-sufficient through local sustainable energy generation.
- To supply 30% of the town's electricity from sustainable energy by 2030.
- To generate income from renewable energy, which would help to reduce the council's running costs, and help towards funding crucial services.
The council takes the threat of climate change very seriously and wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are already putting solar panels on the roofs of our buildings and exploring other opportunities for local sustainable energy generation.
The council wants to play its part in generating local power to meet the needs of local homes and businesses in the borough.
At the moment, the council has only committed to investing in initial feasibility work for ground mounted solar.
No, at the moment the council has only committed to initial suitability work for ground mounted solar. The feasibility work will consider the viability of installing solar within a small number of agricultural fields in the country park.
A typical 1 Mega-Watt peak (MWp) solar PV power plant requires about 4-5 acres of land, including space for the panels and other associated equipment.
No, solar farms can actually enhance biodiversity; appropriate land management on solar farms can bring about significant benefits for a range of wildlife. Biodiversity guidance for solar developments has been produced by a group of conservation organisations including the RSPB, the National Trust, Buglife and the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust. We are asking Natural England for their advice during our initial planning for these potential sites.
Solar farms emit hardly any noise. Solar PV panels do not have any moving parts. Some of the equipment does emit a low volume humming sound, but this equipment would be housed in sound-proofed boxing, making them unlikely to be heard.
Solar panels do change the landscape. We are having drawings made of the proposed solar farms to understand better the likely visual impact.
Appropriate screening can help to ensure the visual impact of the solar farm is negligible. Solar farms are considered temporary structures and will be removed when their useful life is over. They make no permanent change to the landscape.
The land at Pebsham landfill site is still settling so any solar panels put on the site would move and therefore affect their ability to generate power. We will keep this site under review and will consider using it in the future.
Yes they are, and this is being fully considered within our initial suitability planning. We will be asking the proper authorities for their views and advice as the project progresses.
There are many examples of solar farms within AONBs such as Pembrokeshire, Wessex, Cotswolds and the High Weald.
Natural England has been asked for their opinion on these plans. They say that at the moment there is not enough information for them to make a comment. They have asked us to provide more information.
Update - June 2019
We are currently working with Public Power Solutions to gather the information and surveys required by Natural England.Update - December 2019
The application to Natural England's Discretionary Advice Service has been submitted and initial feedback from Natural England is expected early next year.We welcome your views, please email solar@hastings.gov.uk.
When our plans are more developed we will hold a public planning forum where people will be able to come and discuss plans with officers of the council.
We will publish dates for this nearer the time. Your views will be represented to the council when they make decisions about next steps.
Public Power Solutions
Liaison with UKPN to obtain budget quote £1250
Site visits and report £3900
DAS studies procurement, analysis and DAS application £4500PPS Total £9650
DAS Studies
1 Ecology - Urban Edge £3950
2 Heritage - Archaeology South East £6245
3 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment - Harper Landscape Architecture £8850
4 Agriculture Land Assessment - Soli Environmental Services £3640DAS Studies total £22685
Application fee for Discretionary Advice Service with Natural England £110.00
Total £9650 + £22685 + £110 = £32,445.00
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Ground mounted solar FAQs
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