Willow Solar Farm
Low Carbon is proposing a new solar farm, to be known as Willow Solar Farm, located on land at Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk. The project will generate approximately 30 megawatts (MW), producing enough clean renewable energy to cover the annual electrical consumption of over 9,600 homes each year.
Welcome to
Willow Solar Farm
Low Carbon is bringing forward a new renewable energy project along with the infrastructure needed to export the electricity it generates to the local network operator, UK Power Networks (Eastern).
Willow Solar Farm, located on land at Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk, will generate approximately 30 megawatts (MW), producing enough clean renewable energy to cover the annual electrical consumption of approximately 9,600 homes each year.
Willow Solar Farm is proposed for a period of 40 years, after which the modules would be decommissioned and removed from the land and as many items will be recycled or re-purposed as possible.
We have submitted a full planning application to Mid Suffolk District Council (application reference number: DC/23/04644). Please click here to view the application.
Site Location
The extent of land available to build Willow Solar Farm is wholly contained within one site of approximately 35 hectares (86 acres), on land at Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk.
Construction information
A typical construction period for a solar farm of this scale is around 20-30 weeks. It is proposed that construction working hours would be as follows:08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday08:00 - 13:00 Saturday
Access information
Our proposed construction routes are based on reaching Blacksmiths Lane from the south via the surrounding A-road network.From the east, the route will come from the A140, heading west on the A1120, onto Blacksmiths Lane.From the west, the route will come from the A14, heading north on the A1140, turning north onto Blacksmiths Lane.We have engaged a Highways Consultant to advise us of the best route. A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be agreed with the Local Highways Authority ahead of any construction.How will the site be accessed after construction?Gates would be installed at the site access point for maintenance access. It is expected that under normal circumstances around 3-4 cars/vans would visit the site each week (generally averaging less than 1 a day).
Point of connection
The electricity generated by the solar panels is proposed to connect into the local distribution network operator, via an existing electricity pylon along the eastern boundary of the site. A transformer substation compound would be built to step up the voltage to be fed into the grid.
Where will the energy go?
The energy produced by Willow Solar Farm connects into an existing pylon onsite. From there the power will likely be distributed locally - south to Forward Green and then to Stowmarket, as well as north towards Mendlesham Green, before joining the main lines into the wider UK transmission lines.The renewable energy produced from our solar farm connects into a high voltage (HV) cable. As the electricity travels through the local network, it feeds into the low voltage (LV) cables, which power households and commercial sites (e.g. switching on lights / boiling a kettle).
Timeline
- December 2022
Pre-Planning Council Consultation
- March 2023
EIA Screening & Parish Consultation
- April to May 2023
Community Consultation
- Autumn 2023
Potential planning application submission to Mid Suffolk District Council
- Winter 2023
District Council will consider and determine the application
- Summer 2024/25
Earliest commencement of Construction (if planning permission is granted)
Additional Information
- A Planning Pre-application was submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council in December 2022 and followed by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request in March 2023.
- A wide range of environmental subjects will be taken into consideration including traffic impacts, landscape and visual impacts and ecology.
- We have submitted a full planning application to Mid Suffolk District Council (application reference number: DC/23/04644). Please click here to view the application.
Benefits
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the site is improved for nature and shows a biodiversity net gain, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats whilst allowing the land to recover from a monocultural environment. We are thereby creating a species rich haven for wildlife.
Planning conditions tend to require both a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and a Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan (LBMP) to be submitted for approval. The former deals with the construction process measures whilst the latter deals with post-construction measures and those throughout the operation of the project.
Beehives
We encourage the siting of beehives within the solar farm, which not only helps to pollinate nearby crops and plants but provides a secure environment with readily available food sources. The hives are tended by trained local beekeepers to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon is committed to working in partnership with local landowners to provide where possible a unique and innovative space for them to graze their sheep amongst the solar panels.
Grazing sheep at our sites has proved to be hugely popular amongst our landlords for several reasons, notably because the sites are secure which means the sheep are safe and the solar modules provide shelter from the winds and shade from the sun and rain.
PROW
We would look to keep the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) open throughout construction and operation of the solar farm.
If possible and to maintain the enjoyment of these paths we look to include buffers of meadow or wildflower planting and a thick hedgerow to help screen direct views of the solar farm.
Planting
Our sites are designed around existing hedgerows and trees. We look
to enhance the site with additional planting of native species of hedgerows, trees, pasture-mix grasses and wildflowers.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Why here?
Low Carbon has carefully identified this site as part of a detailed feasibility process to deliver a large-scale clean energy scheme. Many factors are considered by our specialists when evaluating appropriate sites for development. These include considering the available grid locally as well as various planning and environmental constraints.
Solar offers a low cost, safe and low carbon way of delivering clean power to meet this target as well as reduce the levels of carbon dioxide that are being emitted into the atmosphere by replacing electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels and energy storage facilities?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will there be visual impacts from Willow Solar Farm?
As part of our ongoing work to determine the design of the project, we are undertaking surveys to ensure the visual impact of the Solar Farm on the local landscape is minimised. This will include screening and the installation of other mitigation measures in the appropriate locations around the perimeter of the land available for the project.
Will Willow Solar Farm use land that could be used from growing crops for food production?
There is always a balance to be found when new development comes forward, with many factors and impacts to consider. Due to its proposed location, Willow Solar Farm will potentially utilise land that could be used for agricultural production. However, the land take involved is minimal in the context of food production across Suffolk and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.
Will the solar farm cause any glint and glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect it. They pose little risk of glint or glare. Testament to this fact is the installation of solar panels at Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
Where will the energy go?
The energy produced by Willow Solar Farm connects into an existing pylon onsite. From there the power will likely be distributed locally - south to Forward Green and then to Stowmarket, as well as north towards Mendlesham Green, before joining the main lines into the wider UK transmission lines.
The renewable energy produced from our solar farm connects into a high voltage (HV) cable. As the electricity travels through the local network, it feeds into the low voltage (LV) cables, which power households and commercial sites (e.g. switching on lights / boiling a kettle).