AURA Power has submitted a planning application to Wychavon District Council for a solar farm near Bishampton which would make a substantial contribution to national and local Net Zero carbon targets.
The solar farm would have a capacity of approximately 30mw, generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of 7,800 typical homes, and saving an estimated 9,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
New areas of wildflower and grassland habitats are being proposed along with new trees and hedgerow planting; and the ground beneath and around the panels would be managed to encourage it to self-seed with wildflowers and native meadow species.
The proposals have been developed with reference to the 2018-2027 Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan
Chris Featonby, UK Development Manager, Aura Power, said: “The UK is facing both a climate and ecological emergency, and Bishampton solar farm can play a part in tackling both. As well as generating clean, renewable energy, we will be improving the biodiversity on the site to attract insects, farmland birds and bats. The land is low grade and will stay in agricultural usage with sheep grazing between the panels.
“The site is already well-screened with mature hedgerows, and has a connection to the local energy grid on-site making it ideal for a solar farm.”
Aura is also proposing to set up a Community Benefit Fund of £350 per mw, index-linked, per year, for the lifetime of the solar farm.
This could amount to £10,500 a year for 35 years or over £367,000 in total and £1,000 a year would be set aside for educational sessions with local schools and site visits to the solar farm, with the remainder being managed by Bishampton and Throckmorton parish council and used for social and environmental community projects.
The planning application can be viewed on the Wychavon Council planning portal with reference number 20/02071/FUL.
