• Tewkesbury Borough Council approved a 49.9MW solar farm project
• Benefits include community fund of up to £80,000 & significant biodiversity enhancements
• Project will include creation of new cycle and pedestrian link in collaboration with the Newent Cycling Group and Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust

Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved a ground mounted Photovoltaic farm, capable of generating electricity to power over 9000 homes annually. The proposal also forms a key part of the Gloucester to Newent Cycle Route with the creation of a new cycle and pedestrian access link which will benefit local residents.  Approximately 16 hectares of wetlands with further areas of biodiversity enhancement area throughout the site will be created as a result of the proposals.

Renewable Connections, one of the UK’s leading solar and battery developers, submitted the application to the Council in March 2022, and has worked positively with local stakeholders to successfully resolve issues with the proposal.   The 49.9MW Maisemore Solar Farm in Gloucestershire was approved by delegated powers in March 2023 following a recommendation for approval by Tewkesbury Council officers.  Maisemore 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 650,000 tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuel sources. This is around the same reduction in carbon emissions as taking over 12,000 petrol and diesel cars off UK roads for a year, every year.

John Leith, Development Director at Renewable Connections said: “We are delighted to have received approval for Maisemore Solar Farm.  Councils such as Tewkesbury Borough Council understand that urgent action is required to limit the environmental impacts produced by the climate crisis and many have now declared their own climate emergency.

He added:  “There are significant benefits to this scheme, aside from the obvious low carbon, home-grown energy it will deliver. The implementation of a Green Infrastructure Plan will substantially enhance biodiversity by creating a range of new habitats offering food and shelter to wildlife and additional landscaping.  Working with the landowner we have also set aside some 100 acres of land for a combination of permanent wetlands to support overwintering birds, and wildflower meadows.

The project will also see the creation of a new cycle and pedestrian access to link Maisemore to the Over Basin via an existing footbridge across the Leadon.  Not only will this provide a valuable link to Gloucester, avoiding the busy A417, it will also provide recreational opportunities for Maisemore residents to walk along the Severn river.”

Construction of the solar farm is expected to commence in 2023 and 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.maisemoresolar.co.uk