Boom Power is proposing to develop a solar farm on 128.7 acres (52.1 hectares) of land, located in Overton, Wakefield, at the postcode WF4 4RP.
The project could have a generating capacity of up to 22.4 megawatts (MWp) for distribution to the national grid. It is important to note that this project is non-subsidised, therefore, requires no government or public funding.
We understand why so many people would prefer for solar farms to be developed on brownfield sites, however, brownfield is extremely expensive and solar farms simply cannot financially compete with land suitable for residential or commercial development. There are very limited opportunities for large-scale solar on brownfield.
Thus, this site has been carefully selected as part of a detailed feasibility process. Consideration has been given to a number of things including: Residential amenity, grid capacity, solar irradiation, environmental designations, cultural heritage, ecology, biodiversity, flood risk and agricultural quality. Detailed studies are being carried out by technical specialists to inform the final scheme design and respond to each of these points.
Project Selection
Detailed Feasibility Process
Planning Application Submission
Planning Application Decision
Construction
Operation
Project Selection
DETAILED FEASIBILITY PROCESS
PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMISSION
PLANNING APPLICATION DECISION
Construction
Operation
Features & Benefits.
Tonnes of CO2 prevented per year*
Family homes powered per year*
Trees offset per year*
Cars offset from the road per year*
* Statistics shown are equivalent values based on the potential energy produced from the PV solar at the proposed solar farm development.
It will assist Wakefield Council’s ambition to become a carbon neutral borough by 2030. This means delivering a net zero carbon footprint. They aim to help the entire district achieve this goal by 2038, aligning with the national and international targets.
The project will contribute to the UK’s urgent need to transition to a sustainable, clean future by enabling energy security and self-sufficiency in the local area.
Solar farms have an average life span of 35-40 years.
Compared to arable farming, solar farms can support a biodiversity net gain by providing an overall increase in natural habitat and ecological features. Whilst there is an initial change to the countryside, the unmanned solar farm will fast become a haven for wildlife.
This is a temporary development and a successful planning consent would require the land to be returned to its current condition. This explicitly means the status of the land once decommissioned will not be classified as a brownfield site.
Solar farms are minimally invasive and allow land to lie fallow upon operation. A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is undertaken by a qualified, independent surveyor to mitigate any affect on the landscape.
The anticipated construction period will be approximately 6 months.
Local highway restrictions will be followed and HGV routing will be agreed with the Highway Authority, avoiding minor roads and villages where possible.
evolving concept design.
The proposed development will use bi-facial solar modules, which absorb sunlight from both sides as opposed to just one. They can therefore convert the light that is reflected behind the module to increase the total energy production. The assumption is that full sunshine is necessary, yet these efficient modules have excellent weak light performance meaning more power output is seen in weak light conditions such as cloud, dawn and sunset.
It is paramount our proposal supports the natural existing landscape, we design around existing trees and wherever possible use existing access tracks, thus, no trees or hedgerows will be removed to accommodate this scheme.
Public Consultation EVENT.
Boom Power agree with the guidance issued by the UK Government’s Chief Planner, which emphasised that planning applications that positively impact the country and local communities must continue to come forward.
In addition, Boom Power believes that it is vital that local communities are able to see and shape planning applications that may have an impact.
Our public consultation event was held on Wednesday 9th November 2022 from 2pm – 7pm at Netherton Village Hall, Coxley Crescent, Netherton, WF4 4LR. This gave the opportunity to meet with our project team, learn more about our proposal and see our plans. Thank you to all for attending!