LAND AT CLIFTON FARM
Public Consultation
INTRODUCING CLIFTON FARM SOLAR PARK
Voltalia Ltd is proposing to develop the Clifton Farm Solar Park near Clifton Maybank. The site is located approximately 4.5km to
the south of Yeovil. It is envisaged that the Clifton Farm Solar Park will have a generating capacity of 35 megawatts (MW). It will generate clean, renewable energy for approximately 10,605 homes a year. There will be electrical connection infrastructure and the point of connection to the electricity grid is an existing electrical network that runs through Clifton Farm. Land will be provided for ecological mitigation and enhancement and with particular consideration to fauna, flora and bird species.
The planning application has now been submitted to
Dorset Council and assigned with planning application ref number WD/D/20/001057.
The scheme would displace circa 11,610 tonnes of carbon dioxide that may be otherwise be generated through the burning of traditional fossil fuels. Fossil fuel remains the dominant source of energy generation, accounting to 81.5 per cent of the UK’s energy supply which in itself provides the need to deliver more renewable energy at the local level.
ABOUT US
Founded in 2005, Voltalia is a power producer and service provider in renewable electricity production from solar, wind, hydro and biomass energies. As an integrated company, Voltalia has developed a strong expertise throughout the value chain of a renewable project: project development, project financing, EPC and operation & maintenance. Voltalia is responsible for the installation of over 22 solar parks in the UK with a total capacity of over 196 MW.
OUR VISION AND OUR MISSION
Our mission is “to improve the global environment by promoting local development”. Our proposal at Clifton Farm forms part of our wider commitment of securing at least 100MW of subsidy free renewable energy for Dorset and the south west. We are also moving forward with other renewable energy schemes located near Stockbridge and Blandford Forum. All our sites will contribute towards addressing national and local electricity needs by generating an affordable and renewable source of clean energy.
WHERE IS CLIFTON FARM
SOLAR PARK?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SOLAR PARK?
The main benefits of the development proposed are summarised below.
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Subsidy free. Clifton Farm Solar Park will not require government subsidy. Solar is now one of the most cost-effective sources of clean renewable electricity generation in the UK.
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Local suppliers. Voltalia are committed to using local suppliers during construction and operation.
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Assist with enabling Dorset to play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with local, national and international targets.
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Contribute towards the security of energy supply in Dorset through the provision of local, affordable renewable energy supply.
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Biodiversity enhancement and landscaping proposed across the site;
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The Solar Park is predominantly sited on Grade 4 and subgrade 3b agricultural land which represents some of the poorest agricultural land in Dorset.
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The continued agricultural use of the site can be achieved by allowing sheep to manage the grassland within the solar park.
RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE
The UK Government has signed up to a Renewable Energy Directive of providing 15% of energy from renewables by 2020 (based on 2008 baseline). The 2017 output only reached 8.9% and there will have to be a much greater level of deployment over the next two years in order to meet the target. Furthermore, a quarter of the UK’s generating capacity is due to close by 2018 so a new mix of electricity generation is needed to keep the lights on. With the UK’s climate change ambitions being amongst the highest in Europe, we will need to significantly increase our renewable energy growth without jeopardising electricity supply, or increasing costs for consumers.
PLANNING APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION
Dorset Council validated the planning application (LPA Ref WD/D/20/001057) on 5 May 2020. The application submission may be viewed on the council’s website using the link: Dorset Online Planning Register
Some of the key planning application documents are available using the links below. If you are after a specific planning application document, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.