Wentlooge Farmer’s Solar Scheme Limited April 2020 Non-Technical Summary Wentlooge Farmers’ Renewable Energy Hub Land on the Wentlooge Levels, to the west of St Brides Wentlooge www.savills.co.uk Project: Wentlooge Farmers’ Renewable Energy Hub Client: Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Limited Job Number: 3216558 File Origin: Taunton Document Checking: Prepared by: Nick Beddoe Signed: Checked by: Peter Grubb Signed: Verified by: Peter Grubb Signed: Wentlooge Farmers’ Solar Scheme Limited i Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 9 1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 9 2.0 Development Proposal ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.1 Description of proposals ................................................................................................................ 10 3.0 The Site ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Site context .................................................................................................................................... 12 4.0 Traffic and Transport ............................................................................................................................... 14 4.1 Site Traffic ...................................................................................................................................... 14 5.0 Cultural Heritage ...................................................................................................................................... 17 5.1 Gwent Levels Historic Landscape ................................................................................................. 17 6.0 Landscape and Visual Effects ................................................................................................................ 19 6.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 19 7.0 Ecology ..................................................................................................................................................... 21 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 21 7.2 Assessment of Impacts .................................................................................................................. 21 7.3 Mitigation and Enhancements ....................................................................................................... 21 7.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 22 8.0 Ornithology............................................................................................................................................... 23 8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 23 8.2 Site Context ................................................................................................................................... 23 8.3 Assessment of Impacts .................................................................................................................. 23 8.4 Mitigation and Enhancement ......................................................................................................... 23 8.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 24 9.0 Flood Risk and Water Resources .......................................................................................................... 24 9.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 24 10.0 Glint and Glare ......................................................................................................................................... 26 10.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Wentlooge Farmers’ Solar Scheme Limited ii 11.0 Noise ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 11.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 27 12.0 Additional Assessments ......................................................................................................................... 29 12.1 Agricultural Land Quality ................................................................................................................ 29 12.2 Tree Survey ................................................................................................................................... 29 13.0 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 29 13.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 29 Wentlooge Farmers’ Solar Scheme Limited iii 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Scope 1.1.1 An Environmental Statement (ES) Non-Technical Summary has been prepared by Savills UK Ltd on behalf of the Wentlooge Farmers’ Solar Scheme Ltd. the Erection of a Renewable Energy Hub comprising ground mounted solar panels, battery storage units (160 units) with a combine installed generating capacity of up to 125MW, underground cabling, grid connection hub, associated infrastructure, landscaping and environmental enhancements, for a temporary period of 40 years. 1.1.2 The site is located at land on the Wentlooge Levels to the west of Hawse Lane, between the villages of St Brides and Peterstone. 1.1.3 As part of the application, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been required by the European Community Directive 2011/92/EU (as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU) which is implemented into Welsh law through the Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017. 1.1.4 This EIA predicts and evaluates the potential effects that the proposed solar energy hub would have on the environment. Measures to avoid or reduce negative impacts have been included where possible. The remaining positive and negative, impacts have been assessed. 1.1.5 The results of the EIA process are presented in full within the ES and are summarised in this Non- Technical Summary. 1.1.6 Other relevant legislation and guidance for both the development plan and individual receptors was identified, which has been adhered to throughout the ES. This ensures that the proposal is compliant with planning policy conditions set out in all levels of legislation. 1.1.7 This report describes the significance of potential impacts caused by the development to the following key aspects identified during scoping: Traffic and Transport Cultural Heritage Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme 9 Landscape and Visual Effects Ecology and Nature Conservation Ornithology Flood Risk and Water Resources Glint and Glare Noise; and Additional Assessments: Agricultural Land Quality Tree Survey Potential impacts upon Population and Human Health 2.0 Development Proposal 2.1 Description of proposals 2.1.1 The development of a Renewable Energy Hub comprising ground mounted solar panels, battery storage units (160 units) with a combine installed generating capacity of up to 125MW, underground cabling, grid connection hub, associated infrastructure, landscaping and environmental enhancements, for a temporary period of 40 years. 2.1.2 The proposals include supporting infrastructure and a battery storage area which will allow for the energy captured during the day to be stored and re-used during times when energy is in greater demand, making the most of the energy generated by a renewable source and helping to make the scheme viable and flexible to meet the demands of the grid. 2.1.3 The grid connection hub is located within a central area of the site and would be well-screened by existing vegetation. It will sit alongside the battery storage area. Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme 10 2.1.4 The proposals will be temporary for a period of 40 years after which the site could be returned to its current condition, with a positive legacy of planting and landscape management retained for the benefit of the area. 2.1.5 Sheep would be grazed between the panels and turbines. While providing an additional income for the landowners they also serve to maintain the grassland. 2.1.6 The proposed development includes supporting infrastructure comprising inverter cabins, transformers, grid connection hub, stock proof fence, CCTV, underground cabling, temporary vehicle tracks, access and landscaping. 2.1.7 Solar PV panels silently convert sunlight to electrical energy. They generate direct current (DC) that is converted by the inverter hardware