CARR HOUSE
SOLAR FARM
Renewable Connections is investigating the potential for a ground mount utility scale solar farm with capacity up to 23.5MW alongside a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with capacity up to 19MW to the north of East Heslerton, North Yorkshire (known as the ‘Carr House Solar Farm’). Once operational, the project would supply enough power for up to 12,122 homes in the first year of generation and make a valuable contribution towards tackling the climate emergency in Yorkshire and the wider UK.
Carr House Solar Farm straddles the former administrative areas of Ryedale and Scarborough District Councils, which merged to form the new North Yorkshire Council on 1st April 2023. As we prepare to submit an application to North Yorkshire Council, Renewable Connections has undertaken a consultation to inform local communities of our proposed plans and invite any feedback to shape the submission.
Comments provided by the local community will be taken into consideration and incorporated into the scheme where appropriate for the formal planning application ready for submission later this year.
QUICK FACTS
5,326 tonnes
of CO2 saved annually
Up to 29,264 megawatt hours supplied each year
Equivalent annual energy needs of up to 12,122 homes
These figures are calculated using the following references. Last updated 22/06/23
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/subnational-electricity-and-gas-consumption-summary-report-2021
- https://www.nationalgrideso.com/news/britains-electricity-explained-2022-review
Please note that these figures are representative of the first year of generation only. As new renewable energy projects are built, the electricity grid will de-carbonise and the relative carbon dioxide emissions avoided per year will reduce. This and all of Renewable Connections projects make a positive impact towards the UK’s net-zero targets
LOCATION
The proposed Carr House Solar Farm comprises a number of low grade agricultural fields located to the north of East Heslerton and Sherburn. The site covers an area of approximately 88.8 ha located directly south of the River Derwent, 2.5 km south of the village of Brompton, 600 m west of Brompton Ings Road and 1.3 km north west of the village of Sherburn. The falls entirely within the administrative boundaries of the new North Yorkshire Council.
Our plans are still in the development stages, so our design proposals will evolve as we gather local input and the results of our environmental assessments.
OUR PROPOSALS
If consented and installed, the solar farm will have a capacity of up to 23.5 MWp with 19MW of Battery Storage and will be operational for up to 40 years. After that time, all of the installation will be removed and the land restored to how it was before, but with improved soil health and biodiversity due to being left fallow. The power generated will be exported to the grid via a substation connecting to existing powerlines which run through the site boundary.
The solar panels will be installed in rows which run east to west through the site. These rows will be tilted towards the south to capture the maximum amount of solar irradiation possible. The total height of the panels will be no more than 3m above the ground with a gap of more than 0.8m above the ground at its minimum.
Small electric cabins will be located amongst the panels and these will be accessed by a network of crushed stone track which will run through the site. All of the panels will be surrounded by a security fence to protect the equipment from large animals and unauthorised users entering the site. CCTV cameras will be located periodically around the site perimeter for security and will face inwards.
The development will also involve additional landscaping including hedgerow planting and improved biodiversity management. The site is currently pasture and arable land with low ecological value (Agricultural land grade 3), however with the implementation of a biodiversity management plan the site will be significantly enhanced for biodiversity by creating a range of new habitats, offering food and shelter to wildlife.
PROJECT TIMELINE
STAGE 1
Site selection
Spring 2022
STAGE 2
Preliminary Surveys
Summer 2022
STAGE 3
Pre-application
Winter 2022
STAGE 4
Community Consultation
Summer 2023
STAGE 5
Submission
Autumn 2023
STAGE 6
Construction
2025
THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT
Following the Government’s declaration of an “Environment and Climate Emergency” in May 2019, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) advised that to meet ‘Net Zero’ targets, the UK will require substantial amounts of new, low carbon power sources to be built before 2050, up to four times that of today’s levels.
North Yorkshire Council declared their own climate emergency in July 2022 in addition to the ambition that was set out in 2019 to achieve carbon neutrality of the council’s emissions by 2030. Renewable energy is the heart of North Yorkshire’s draft Climate Change Strategy, due to be adopted in Summer 2023, providing essential green energy leading the efforts to decarbonise the county.
Solar is one of the cleanest, cheapest forms of energy available. The Carr House Solar Farm would make a meaningful contribution to North Yorkshire County’s energy needs by delivering green energy to the equivalent of up to 12,122 homes for the first year of generation.
FAQ’s
Why this location?
This site has been identified following extensive site selection across North Yorkshire which took into account environmental designations, local electricity network access and capacity, the physical characteristics of the site, and a supportive landowner, notwithstanding an opportunity to enhance the ecology of the locality.
Will there be any impacts on local roads?
For a period of approximately 6 months during construction, there will be deliveries of equipment to site. Renewable Connections will put in place measures to manage impacts of construction traffic and these measures will be included in a Construction Traffic Management Plan that will submitted with the planning application. There will be infrequent maintenance visits to the site during operation.
Will there be any permanent impact?
Solar farms are temporary and the land will be fully reinstated to farmland once the equipment is removed at the end of the project life.
Does solar pose a health risk?
No – solar is a passive technology which doesn’t produce any harmful by-products.
How long will the project be there?
The development proposes a life span of up to 40 years. No later than this, the development would be decommissioned, and the site returned to solely agricultural use. A decommissioning plan will be provided with the planning submission.
Are solar farms noisy?
No – solar farms are not noisy, producing no more than normal background levels of sound similar to wind or distant traffic beyond the site boundary.
What are the benefits to the local community?
Renewable Connections is committed to maximising benefits for the Brewood and Coven Parish Community. The project will support local businesses, provide enhanced business rates, and provide enhancements to wildlife. We will also establish a Community Benefit Fund and support local causes.
GET IN TOUCH
carrhousesolar@renewableconnections.co.uk
0800 254 5011
Carr House Solar Farm,
LDN:W,
3 Noble Street,
London,
EC2V 7EE
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