SEALAND MANOR
SOLAR FARM & BESS
Renewable Connections is investigating the potential for a solar farm of up to 89MW and battery energy storage system (BESS) of up to 40MW at Sealand, Flintshire. Once operational, the solar farm could supply enough power for up to 33,575 homes, making a valuable contribution towards tackling climate change in Flintshire and across the UK.
The BESS will enable the renewable energy generated to be stored and redistributed as required. BESS technology helps to manage the peaks and troughs of energy demand, supporting a more stable and reliable national electricity grid.
As we prepare an application to submit to Planning and Environment Decision Wales (PEDW), we are undertaking informal consultation to share our proposed plans with local communities and to invite feedback.
Our informal consultation is taking place from Friday 14 March to Monday 21 April 2025.
Later this year, we will undertake formal consultation, and details will be advertised in advance. All feedback is important to us, and we welcome comments and feedback at any point during the project’s development process – up to the submission of the application to PEDW.
Informal consultation phase
We hosted two Public Exhibition Events at The Fig Tree, St Bartholomew’s Church, Old Sealand Rd, Sealand, Flintshire, CH5 2LQ on Wednesday 26 March and Thursday 27 March 2025.
If you were unable to attend the consultation events, please feel free to contact us directly for more information about the project.
How to provide your feedback
We welcome your feedback. All comments will be reviewed and, where possible, will help shape our proposals.
You can provide your comments and submit your feedback by:
Email: sealandmanorsolarfarm@renewableconnections.co.uk
Our online feedback form
You can also write to us free of charge at: FREEPOST, Sealand Manor Solar Farm.
QUICK FACTS
up to 16,902 tonnes
of CO2 saved annually
(Calculated using BEIS’s “all fossil fuels” emissions statistic of 446 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (July 2020)
Equivalent annual energy needs of up to 33,575 homes
(Calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that annual GB average domestic household consumption is 3,578kWh)
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 represent only the first year of generation. As new renewable energy projects are built and come online, the electricity grid will de-carbonise and the annual CO2emissions avoided will decrease proportionally. However, this project, and all of Renewable Connections projects, make a positive impact towards the UK’s net-zero targets.
LOCATION
The site proposed for the Sealand Manor Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) comprises approximately 94.22ha of agricultural land currently in arable rotation. The proposed site is adjacent to the River Dee, overlooking the Connah’s Quay industrial zone, and is overlooked by the A494 flyover.
Our plans are still in the early development stages. Our design proposals will evolve as we gather local input and consider the results of our environmental assessments.
OUR PROPOSALS
If consented and installed, the solar farm and BESS will operate for up to 40 years. After that time, all of the installations 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 an onsite connection along the existing overhead lines along the south-eastern boundary of the site.
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 3 metres above the ground, with a gap of more than 0.8 metres 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 the panels will be surrounded by security fencing to protect the equipment from large animals entering the site. CCTV cameras will be located periodically around the site perimeter for security and will be faced inwards.
The BESS will be located within the site boundary and additional screening and hedge planting will be utilised where appropriate to support screening.
The development as a whole will also involve additional landscaping including hedgerow planting and improved biodiversity management. Land between and beneath the panels can be used for biodiversity enhancements, including sheep grazing, if desired.
The site is currently designated as Grade 2 and has primarily been used for arable cultivation. The site also sits within Flintshire County Council’s Green Barrier designation, 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 DOCUMENTS
PROJECT TIMELINE
STAGE 1
Site selection
Spring 2024
STAGE 2
Pre-application
Autumn 2024
STAGE 3
Community Consultation – Informal
Spring 2025
STAGE 4
Community Consultation – Formal
Summer 2025
STAGE 5
Planning Submission
Summer/Autumn 2025
STAGE 6
Construction
2029 +
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.
Flintshire County Council have published a Climate Change Strategy 2022-2030-,and 10-year Renewable Energy Action Plan. The County Council publicly supports the declarations made by Welsh Government for the Public Sector to become carbon neutral by 2030. It has also highlighted its commitment to reducing Carbon Emissions to help achieve National targets and reduce the risks of fossil fuel price volatility and working with communities to increase biodiversity value and carbon storage*.
*Renewable Energy 10 year Action Plan and Climate Change Home
Solar is one of the cleanest, cheapest forms of energy available. The solar element of Sealand Manor Solar Farm & BESS will make a meaningful contribution to the energy needs of Wales and the UK by delivering green energy to up to 33,575 homes annually.
The UK Government estimates that the implementation of flexible technologies like battery energy storage systems could save the UK energy system up to £40 billion in operating costs by 2050, which will help to reduce individual energy bills – Battery storage boost to power greener electricity grid – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
FAQs – your questions answered
Why this location?
This site has been identified following extensive site selection across Flintshire which considered local electricity network access and capacity, the physical characteristics of the site, and a supportive landowner.
Further analysis and surveys were undertaken to better understand ecology and landscape impacts, and other factors such as flood risk, ecology, landscape and access.
Will there be any impacts on local roads?
For a period of approximately 39 weeks 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 be submitted with the planning application. There will be infrequent maintenance visits to the site during operation.
Will there be any permanent impact?
Solar farms and BESS’s are temporary and the land will be fully reinstated to farmland once the equipment is removed at the end of the project life. The development proposes a life span of up to 40 years. The land does not become brownfield land and is not able to be converted into residential or commercial development following the decommissioning of the site.
Do solar farms pose a health risk?
No – solar is a passive technology which doesn’t produce any harmful by-products.
Are battery energy storage systems a health risk?
No, LFP batteries (or Lithium Iron Phosphate) will be used in the Sealand Manor BESS. LFP batteries are thermally and chemically stable, with no risk of fumes or gas leaks. They are made of abundant, non-toxic materials like iron, copper and graphite, so have a lower environmental impact from mining, processing and recycling.
How long will the project be there?
The development proposes a life span of up to 40 years. After this time, the development would be decommissioned, and the site returned to agricultural use. A decommissioning plan for the site 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.
Are battery energy storage system noisy?
No , while BESS’ do generate some low-level electrical noise from the inverter, switchgear, and fan equipment, this noise is not perceptible beyond the site boundaries, and would not have an adverse impact on any nearby residential receptors. To demonstrate this, a Noise Impact Assessment will be submitted with the planning application.
Are the batteries safe?
The battery storage modules are designed to have a very low risk of failure, and an even lower risk that any failure would result in a fire. In the unlikely event that a fire does occur, both fire detection and fire prevention equipment is installed in all the battery storage modules to ensure that any fires remain under control. All modules will also be equipped with an inert gas suppression system designed to extinguish any fires that are detected by the monitoring system.
What are the benefits to the local community?
Renewable Connections is committed to maximising benefits for the local Community. We will establish a Community Benefit Fund to support local good causes. The project will incorporate a range of ecological and wildlife enhancements on site.
GET IN TOUCH
Email: sealandmanorsolarfarm@renewableconnections.co.uk
Freephone: 0800 254 5011
FREEPOST Sealand Manor Solar Farm
Renewable Connections is committed to respecting your privacy and to complying with UK data protection and privacy laws. Our privacy policy explains how we collect, use, share and protect personal information.