WHO ARE WE? COMMUNITY INFORMATION PACK PROPOSED SOLAR INSTALLATION AT SOUTH LOWFIELD FARM, LOWFIELD LANE, , NORTH DL7 0SY

Lightsource BP is a global market leader in the funding, development and long-term management of large-scale solar projects and smart energy solutions. We work closely with local businesses and communities to supply clean, dependable and competitively priced energy. We’re dedicated to securing a low-carbon future, and to meeting the dual challenge of an increased demand for energy alongside a need to reduce emissions. STATISTICS

Lightsource BP is working on a proposal for a solar installation 42,664 MWh (Megawatts COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT at South Lowfield Farm, Lowfield Lane, Kirkby Fleetham, North hours) supplied per year Yorkshire DL7 0SY. The proposal involves Lightsource BP funding and operating a solar installation that will connect into the local electricity network and will have an output power capacity of 49.9MW (Megawatts) – generating enough clean energy to Equivalent to the energy needs It’s important to us that the local community are fully power the equivalent of 12,929 local homes. of 12,929 households informed of the plans for the site, and have the opportunity to comment on and shape the proposal. We will be holding This site has been carefully selected, and a wide range of an information event to provide details about our project environmental assessments are being undertaken to inform ideas at this stage, and we welcome your feedback. Lightsource BP’s plans. These assessments cover a variety 231 acres of land of areas, including but not limited to landscape and visual, The information event will be held on: heritage and archaeology, ecology and ornithology, flooding and more. Another key part of the development process is Wednesday, 12th June 2019, at: engaging with local communities to inform people of our plans 16,275 tonnes of carbon and to get their feedback. A key part of this engagement is emissions saved Kirkby Fleetham Village Hall, a community information event, where representatives from Village Green, Kirkby Fleetham, Lightsource BP will be on hand to answer any questions about DL7 0SA the proposal from local residents and interested parties. Equivalent to taking over

3,463 cars off the road Drop in any time between 4pm and 6.30pm Get involved! FIND OUT MORE Wednesday, 12th June 2019, at: COMMUNITY Kirkby Fleetham Village Hall, Village Green, Kirkby Fleetham, INFORMATION DL7 0SA If you have queries in relation to this project, please contact the project team by calling 0333 200 0755, or emailing [email protected], quoting “South Lowfield Farm”. EVENT Drop in any time between 4pm and 6.30pm

t 0333 200 0755 t 0333 200 0755 e [email protected] e [email protected] www.lightsourcebp.com www.lightsourcebp.com OUR INITIAL THOUGHTS

FAQS Proposed solar installation at South Lowfield Farm, Lowfield Lane, Kirkby Fleetham, DL7 0SY

Our plans are in the early stages, so our design and planting and biodiversity enhancement proposals will evolve as we gather local input and the results of our ecological, landscape and heritage assessments. These are our current thoughts. For further details, please join us at our community info event on Wednesday 12th June 2019. Drop in between 4pm and 6.30pm. Increasing Biodiversity Why is this project important? Solar is a passive form of technology, We are keen to hear from and work generating electricity without Access with any local beekeepers and land creating any waste products or management organisations to support Proposed construction and pollutants. This makes it an ideal wildlife and boost the habitats local to operational access will be from the energy source for the UK, as the the proposed installation. existing farm access from Lowfield 2020 targets for renewable energy Lane which already services HGVs. and carbon emission reductions approach.

How will the equipment be Flood Risk protected? Kirkby Fleetham Parts of the site are within The solar installation will be flood zones. We are enclosed by a timber and wire Existing Vegetation currently consulting with agricultural fence about 2 metres While developing the layout Lowfield Lane the Environment Agency to in height, and CCTV cameras will we have sought to maintain design a suitable solution. monitor the boundary fence and the majority of the existing area within the solar installation. vegetation onsite. These will be specifically positioned to make sure they do not impinge on the privacy of residents. Kirkby Fleetham Conservation Area Sewage Works How are the panels kept clean? Scheduled Monument Generally, rainfall helps to keep the panels free of dust and dirt. Several times a year, the panels will be thoroughly cleaned using Fleetham Lane specialist equipment, to make sure the installation is in the best possible condition. Continued Agricultural Use These fields are currently used Do solar installations pose a for crops, including biomass crop health risk? Great Miscanthus. Our proposal includes No - solar is a passive technology Existing Overhead Line plans to create a meadow grassland which doesn’t produce any harmful which can be lightly grazed by sheep, by-products. All electrical equipment so the land under the solar farm will we use meets the Electromagnetic New Vegetation Planting maintain an agricultural purpose. Compatibility (EMC) Directive and We will submit a detailed planting are CE marked. plan as part of the planning application, which will focus on B6271 Will the solar installation cause screening the installation from view traffic disruption? Lowfield Lane using vegetation, and increasing Once the solar installation is in place the biodiversity values on the site via it requires very little maintenance varied planting. Views and Screening Agricultural Land Grading Kirkby Fleetham and approximately monthly visits in The site is setback and regular cars or 4x4s would cause We have conducted an Agricultural screened from view from Kirkby no traffic disruption. Whilst the solar Land Classification Survey which has Proposed Public Right of Way Fleetham, Lowfield Lane installation is being constructed, a classified the majority of the fields solar and Fleetham Lane by well traffic management plan will be put National Cycle Network as Grade 3b and 4 which is not Best installation established field boundaries, in place. and Most Versatile Land. Access Path roadside vegetation and woodland plantation.

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