Innova are proposing a solar farm with energy storage on land at the Frocester Estate. This site has been selected and designed via a detailed assessment process. Once connected to the local electricity grid, this solar farm will be generate enough electricity to power approximately 9,800 households.
There is widespread awareness of the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources.
The United Kingdom is the first major economy to pass a Net Zero emissions law, requiring nationwide greenhouse gas emissions to reach Net Zero by 2050, with a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030. For this to be achieved an additional three gigawatts per annum of installed solar capacity will be required.
At a local level, Stroud District Council has declared a Climate Emergency and is committed to becoming a carbon neutral district by 2030.
Solar farms like the one proposed at Frocester Estate will play a key role in reaching these committed targets and addressing the Climate Emergency.
From early in the process of developing all our sites, we like to reach out to the community which will host the development and set out the local benefits this can bring. This includes setting up a Community Benefit Fund and a Charitable Fund, which would be funded by the project with an annual sum, based on the installed MW capacity of the site, paid into each fund for the entire lifespan of the project.
*For example, a 50MW solar project would generate an annual community benefit payment of £12,500 and an annual charitable payment of £5,000 for the lifetime of a 40-year project, index linked.
The site has been carefully selected and designed during a detailed assessment process considering land and grid availability, solar irradiance, access, landscape and amenity, agricultural land quality, ecology, heritage, and environmental designations. We have engaged a team of expert consultants to undertake site specific assessments.
The selected site benefits from existing tree and hedgerow planting along the field boundaries. To ensure the development is suitably screened, additional planting is proposed to strengthen the existing field boundaries and new hedgerow planting will be implemented where necessary.
The grassland underneath the panels will be suitable for sheep grazing. The margins of the site outside the fence line will be used for other habitat enhancements such as wildflower seeding which will boost the biodiversity.
The site will be accessed from an existing access on Bath Road during the construction phase, with an additional access on Peter’s Street available for occasional maintenance visits during the operational phase
Site Layout
Please see a copy of the Site Layout plan here
Solar Array
The solar array is proposed to consist of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels covering approximately 223 acres with a generating capacity of up to 49.9MWp. This will offset the annual energy needs of approximately 12,200 homes and save around 11,000 tonnes of CO2 .
Energy Storage
The modular battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed to allow the development to manage the export of power into the local grid to meet demand. Containerised units are commonly based on standard shipping containers approximately 12.8 x 2.4 x 3.5m and accompanied by a power conversion system.
Frames, Panels and Inverters
The solar panels will be installed on frames that are approximately three metres tall at the rear, and around one metre tall on their front, and fixed to the ground. The solar panels generate Direct Current (DC) electricity, which is converted by inverters to electricity with Alternating Current (AC) for export into the local grid. Inverter units (approximately 1m(h) x 70cm (w) x 30cm (d)) will be mounted on the rear of the solar arrays at intervals.
Transformers
Approximately 10 transformer pairs (approximately 3.5m(h) x 10.5m(w) x 3m(d)) will be required to step the voltage. These will be distributed throughout the solar farm, sited by the internal access tracks.
Substation Area
The substation area (approximately 50(l)x60m(w)) will be located in the north-eastern part of the site, near the existing overhead electricity lines and main access track. It will include a customer substation building (approximately 3m(h) x 5m(w) x 2m(d)), which is required to export the energy from the transformers located around the panels in a single cable to the substation operated by the District Network Operator (DNO).
The DNO substation building (approximately 3.5m(h) x 4.8m(w) x 4.6m(w)) is required to meter the production of energy and export it directly to the local grid via the existing nearby overhead lines.
A transformer will be located in the substation area to increase the voltage to a suitable export level into the local electricity grid, whilst busbars will be used to conduct electricity and disconnectors installed to isolate parts of the substation.
All electrical cabling to the substation will be underground and the substation buildings will have a green finish to coordinate with the surroundings.
Access Tracks
An existing field access from Bath Road will be utilised during both construction and operation. Access tracks will be established across the site, measuring approximately four metres in width, and comprising crushed stone over a geo-textile membrane, with no concrete required.
Security
A fence will be installed around the perimeter of the development at a height of approximately two metres, consisting of wooden posts supporting traditional wire stock fencing. Mammal gates will be included along the length of the fence. The site will be monitored by inward facing CCTV cameras.
Transport
All construction traffic will route via Junction 13 of the M5 Motorway, before accessing the site via the A38 Bristol Road and then Bath Road.
The planning application will be supported by a Construction Traffic Management Plan that will include a range of measures to reduce the effect of construction vehicles on the local highway network.
Archaeology & Heritage
Following a geophysical survey and archaeological trenching, areas of significant archaeology have been confirmed and potential impacts will be mitigated.
Ecology
An initial Extended Phase 1 Ecology Habitat survey was completed at the site followed by badger, Great Crested Newt, otter, water vole, breeding and wintering bird surveys. These surveys have influenced the site design and are detailed in the Ecology Impact Assessment. A Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessment completed for the proposals demonstrates that the site will deliver a BNG gain in excess of the 10% required by the Environment Act 2021.
Agricultural Land
A site-specific agricultural land classification survey has been completed, which confirms that most of the site is classified as Grade 3b land, with a smaller area of Grade 3a also present.
Arboriculture
An arboricultural survey was completed to ensure root protection zones are avoided in the site design and therefore any potential impacts to existing trees prevented. Appropriate mitigation measures will be adopted during construction, such as a no-dig construction methodology for the internal access tracks where appropriate and protective fencing. Some small sections of hedgerow will be removed and replaced, and there is no requirement to remove any trees.
Landscape and Visual
The development area is identified as having the lowest landscape sensitivity for large solar farms within Stroud District Council’s Renewable Energy Resources Assessment.
Following an initial landscape appraisal, the development has been focused towards the M5 motorway to increase the distance from The Cotswolds AONB, whilst the largest pieces of equipment have also been sited to reduce visual impacts.
A full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) has been prepared which details the landscape impacts and proposed mitigation. A Landscape and Ecological Management (LEMP) plan sets out how the proposed ecology and landscape enhancements will be managed over time.
A selection of viewpoints have been included below showing the approximate extent of the proposed development.
Community Consultation Boards
Please view the Frocester Estate solar and storage community consultation boards here
Community Consultation Leaflet
Please view the Frocester Estate solar and storage community consultation leaflet here .
