Boom Power is proposing to develop a solar farm on approximately 93.7 hectares of land, located in Springwell, Sunderland, at the postcode NE9 7PZ.
The project could have a generating capacity of up to 27.3 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 Sunderland City Council’s ambition to deliver zero carbon emissions across the borough by 2030 and to deliver a completely carbon neutral borough by 2050 to align with local, 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.
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 9 months.
Local highway restrictions will be followed and HGV routing will be agreed with the Highway Authority, avoiding minor roads and villages where possible.
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 Thursday 6th October 2022 from 2pm – 7pm, at Nixon Suite, Mercure Newcastle George Washington Hotel, Stone Cellar Road, High Usworth, NE37 1PH . 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!
CONTACT US.
* Field required.
We’re committed to remaining open and engaged with the community during this process. If you have any questions relating to our project proposal please use the contact form to contact a member of our team.
Please provide your contact details if you wish to get a response. Any information provided may be used for the purpose of our planning application to the Local Planning Authority and will not be disclosed with any third parties. We respect your privacy and all personal details including your name, postcode and contact details will remain anonymous.