Oakley Solar

What is a solar installation +

Solar farms are the large-scale use of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to create electricity that is green and clean. Oakley Solar will be made up of photovoltaic solar arrays alongside inverters and transformers.

Who is Endurance Energy? +

Endurance Energy is a sister company of Endurance Estates, a Cambridge, London and Birmingham based property company. Endurance Energy are developing a range of solar and battery projects across the UK.

Why do we need solar installations? +

This site has been selected as it provides suitable land for solar development and is in proximity to the electricity grid network, enabling a viable scheme to be developed. As coal fired power stations shut down across the country and we move away from the use of gas for our energy needs, there is a renewed focus to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel imports from overseas to meet the overall target of an 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050. Solar power is the lowest cost form of electricity generation and therefore contributes to reducing energy bills over the long term.

Why are you planning a solar installation here? +

We have undertaken rigorous assessments to ensure that the site is suitable for solar farm development. These assessments have informed us that the site is highly suitable for solar development due to its landscape setting, potential for biodiversity enhancement and proximity to a viable grid connection. The site will help to ensure the local authorities of Charnwood Borough Council and North-West Leicestershire District Council can achieve their net-zero targets as well as generating low cost zero carbon power for up to 15,000 homes.

What impact will the site have on the Oakley Wood SSSI? +

We are using evidence-based specialist studies to ensure that the proposals do not have an impact on the Oakley Wood SSSI. The Oakley Wood SSSI will remain an invaluable area which will not be compromised by the Endurance Energy proposals. A comprehensive management plan will be developed by qualified ecologists to ensure that the scheme delivers measurable additional benefits for wildlife and biodiversity. Natural England has been consulted and have concluded that the proposals will have no impact on Oakley Wood SSSI.

What about the loss of agricultural land? +

The land for the proposed solar farm will continue to be used for agricultural purposes throughout its lifetime through opportunities for sheep grazing. Furthermore, whilst the solar farm is operational, the soil will be rested, meaning that it will be in a better condition when it is returned to full agricultural use. Endurance Energy is using the land for clean energy generation, continued grazing and improved biodiversity over the course of the project’s 40 year lifetime.

Will I be able to see it? +

As part of the development of the scheme, Endurance will undertake detailed landscape and visual impact assessments to ensure that visual impacts are minimised. Existing hedgerows and tree planting will be maintained, and further planting will be used to mitigate any visual impact where possible.

How long will the solar farm be there for? +

The solar installation will be in operation for 40 years. Once the facility’s lifetime comes to an end, the land will be returned to agricultural use.

How big are the solar panels? +

The panels height will be no more than three metres. The frames are simply driven 1.5 metres into the ground.

Will there be a loss in the biodiversity on the site? +

No, in fact there will be a biodiversity net gain. The creation of wildflower grasslands will help restore the agricultural land and also increase the diversity of habitats for wildlife. New trees, hedgerow planting and new wildflower grassland will support animals who can already be found on the site, including providing an opportunity for sheep grazing, provision for bees, reptiles, birds and bats boxes as well as protection of existing priority habitats. We are also proposing to restore a number of historic ponds on the site to enhance biodiversity.

What about the wildlife on the site? +

A range of animal species including bats, Great Crested Newts, badgers, deer, and farmland birds make use of the surrounding landscape, which will be enhanced by the extensive habitat creation and positive ecological management delivered by the proposals. There is potential for sheep to use the land for grazing to aid in continuing agricultural use of the land.

Will bats be affected? +

The solar farm is surrounded by mature woodlands, which are known to support locally important bat roosts. The presence of these protected species has underpinned the proposals, and great care has been taken to ensure bats can continue to thrive alongside the solar arrays. Habitat connectivity for bats will be enhanced through a combination of new native hedgerow and tree planting.

Has the project got planning permission? +

We submitted a planning application for the proposals to Charnwood Borough Council and North West Leicestershire District Council in February 2023 after extensive engagement with the local community. We anticipate that the councils will make a decision on the application later this year.

Will the project lead to an increase in traffic? +

There will be some additional traffic to the site as the solar farm is being constructed. However, Endurance Energy is committed to working with Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council and North-West Leicestershire Council to minimise the effect of traffic within the area by agreeing a construction management plan which will ensure disruption for local residents is kept to a minimum throughout the duration of construction. Once built, the solar farm won’t require significant maintenance, so there will be minimal additional traffic through the scheme’s lifetime.

Will there be reflection/glare off the panels? +

A landscape and visual impact assessment is commissioned for all solar farm planning applications. This assesses the impact of the panels on the surrounding area. The PV panels are made of non-reflective, either polycrystalline or monocrystalline cells designed to absorb – not reflect - daylight and convert it to electricity.

New planting around the perimeter of all field parcels with solar panels will help to enclose the site visually and separate panels from the adjacent landscape. Existing hedgerows will be retained where possible.

How much electricity will it produce? +

The solar installation will have a capacity of 49.9MW. This will produce enough electricity to power over 15,000 homes.

Is there a risk of flooding on site? +

Solar panels sit on top of the soil and have only very limited groundworks which means the site will have no impact on flood risk or damage.