Green light given to Nottinghamshire solar farm

Planners have given the green light for a 70-hectare 50MW solar farm near the Nottinghamshire village of Costock.

Being developed by Boultbee Brooks Renewable Energy, Highfields Solar Farm will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 17,000 homes, saving 11,210 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Additionally, planting of species-rich grass, wildflowers and new hedgerows around the site will significantly benefit the environment by increasing the area’s net biodiversity by as much as 122 per cent.

As well as contributing to the UK’s net zero ambitions by combatting climate change, It will also create jobs, provide a diversified income stream to a local farm business and generate business rates for investment in council services.

The JV partnership, which last year was given planning permission to develop a 10MW solar farm near Northwold, West Norfolk, is working on a 400MW pipeline of similar projects across 17 sites throughout the UK.

In relation to Highfields, Infraland was assisted by Pegasus Group who provided expert planning advice. James Whitcher, Boultbee Brooks’ managing director, said: “Together with Infraland, we are working to develop a new portfolio of efficient and biodiverse solar parks across the UK.

“We are delighted that the various projects we embarked on together in 2019 are beginning to show the fruits of our and the wider team’s labour.”

Nick Barber, co-founding director of Infraland, adds: “It is great to have received our planning consent at Costock. We have a long-term commitment to this project as we will be overseeing the construction, delivery and ongoing asset management of the project which is due to commence in 2024”.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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