.svg)
Aura Power is developing a solar farm on land between Wortham and Palgrave in Mid Suffolk.
If approved, Marsh Lane Solar Farm will be built without subsidy and would generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of around 12,000 homes, saving around 11,000 tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere each year.
The UK has a legally binding target to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 as well as completely decarbonising the UK’s power supplies by 2035. Mid Suffolk Council has declared a Climate Emergency in order to achieve this.
Solar farms not only increase the supply of clean power but as solar is the lowest cost form of new energy generation it will also help to reduce national power prices.
It offers a number of benefits locally with net gains in biodiversity and a community benefit fund of £12,000 a year for the lifetime of the solar farm amounting to £420,000 in total. The fund is offered to support local social and environmental projects. We are also offering educational sessions with local schools and site visits to the solar farm.
As a local business, our solar farm will be contributing over £80,000 in business rates to Mid Suffolk Council every year as well as providing green jobs.
%20(1).JPG)
November 2023 - The planning application has now been submitted to Mid Suffolk Council. Extensive community engagement has helped shape our plans and the full planning application can viewed by CLICKING HERE.
Met with nearest residents and Parish Councillors to discuss initial plans for the solar farm. The site was scaled back in response to feedback received.
Public consultation events held to present revised site layout and gain feedback from wider community.
Planning application submitted having accounted for local feedback. We will work with the Council's Planning Officers to address all elements of the scheme.
Anticipated decision on the planning application.
Anticipated construction year. Construction is expected to take around 6-8 months and will be accessed via Lion Road.
equivalent number of homes powered every year
Estimated figure is calculated using BEIS ‘Sub-national electricity consumption statistics 2020’ which reports an average domestic consumption per Mid Suffolk Household
tonnes of CO2 saved every year
estimated figure calculated using the UK Government Gas Conversion Factor, BEIS, July 2021 of 0.2133 Tonnes Carbon/MWh. NV Calculations based on the PV Syst generation report for the proposed layout
equivalent number of electric cars powered every year
Estimated figure calculated using an average mileage of 9435 miles per year (MOT data from RAC Foundation) and an average power consumption of 2,887 kWh (Electric Vehicle Database 2021)
-1%202.png)
Consulting with the local community is very important to us and a crucial part of getting our proposal right.
We met with local residents and Parish Councillors at the end of 2022 and scaled back our initial plans in response to the feedback received.
We held an online webinar and in-person exhibition at the end of May. You can find the exhibition boards in the Useful Links.
Online Webinar
This webinar was held on Tuesday 23rd May at 6pm. The recording can be seen below.
In-person Exhibition - Held Thursday 25th May 4pm - 7pm at Wortham Village Hall
Thank you to everyone who attended. We are now collating the feedback received to refine a design that we intend to submit in the form of a planning application this Summer.
If you were unable to make either event and would like to speak to us in person, please contact Chloe on:
chloe.hood@aurapower.com |0117 214 1971
Community engagement is an ongoing process and AuraPower is always open to speaking to residents and councilors and are welcome to contact us at any time.
•Site has been scaled back following initial discussions with local residents and Parish Councillors
•Indicative initial solar site area of approximately 50ha (54.7ha including cable run and biodiversity enhancements)
•Avoids highest grades of agricultural land
•Environmental studies complete: landscape, heritage, ecology, noise and hydrology
•Continued agricultural use with sheep grazing amongst the panels
•Drainage system proposed to alleviate existing flooding on Millway Lane
•Community feedback will help shape the final design
INCREASING BIODIVERSITY
This proposal includes species rich wildflower meadows, grassland, native trees and hedgerow planting with a predicted Net Gain in Biodiversity of over 70%.
Solar farms are proven to have a positive impact on biodiversity and nature recovery as evidenced by a recent study on solar farms in the UK by Solar Energy UK. To view the full report please click here.
WHY HERE?
This site has been carefully selected due to:
•The site is already relatively well screened with the ability to plant additional trees and hedgerows
•No environmental or landscape designations on site
•Secure grid connection into the electricity network
•Opportunities to boost biodiversity
CONSTRUCTION & ACCESS
• Indicative route for construction and access via A143 & A140 using major road networks where possible
• Peak construction traffic will take place in the first few weeks across a 6-8 month period
• Local residents along the route will be notified in advance
Your feedback is very important to us. Please leave a comment and one of our project team will get back to you as soon as possible.
30 Queen Square
Penthouse Office
Bristol BS1 4ND
+44 (0) 117 214 1982
Designed by The SourdoughPenthouse Office
30 Queen Square
Bristol BS1 4ND
+44 (0) 117 214 1982