HOMEGROWN ENERGY FOR OVER 11,500 HOMES SECURED WITH SOLAR FARM APPROVAL
27 Sep, 2022

Bedford Borough Council have given the go ahead for a solar energy project that will power up to 11,500 homes with clean, home-grown energy. Renewable Connections, one of the UK’s leading solar and battery developers, submitted the application to the Council earlier this year.

  • Snakes Meadow Solar Farm will generate up to 45.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy
  • Approved by Bedford Borough Council planning committee
  • Community benefit fund of up to £91,000

The 45.5MW  Solar Farm in the east of England was approved by Bedford Borough Council’s planning committee on Monday the 26th September 2022 following a recommendation for approval by Council officers.

Snakes Meadow Solar Farm will make a substantial contribution towards tackling the climate emergency locally and nationally. Over the 40-year lifespan of the project, the proposed solar farm would displace an estimated 800,000 tonnes of CO2 from fossil fuel sources. This is around the same reduction in carbon emissions as taking over 14,000 petrol and diesel cars off UK roads for a year, every year.

Ed Perrin, Head of Development at Renewable Connections said: “Solar energy is one of the cleanest, lowest cost forms of energy available that is quickly deployable.   Throughout the project development we engaged extensively with local people and Council officers.  The feedback received helped shape the final design of the Solar Farm, which includes proposals to greatly enhance the biodiversity of the area, creating new habitats, and offering food and shelter to wildlife.”

The Wildlife Trust, a consultee during the development process, welcomed that the proposed layout has been designed to retain areas of woodland and the majority of hedgerows.  The scheme will cover approximately 80 hectares of land that is gently sloping and south-facing.  Construction of the solar farm will involve the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert sunlight directly into renewable electricity.  The project has been developed by Renewable Connections in partnership with European Energy (EE) and once operational will have a lifespan of up to forty years.

For more information go to: www.snakesmeadowsolarfarm.co.uk