Pear Tree Solar Farm
Low Carbon is proposing a new solar farm with battery storage, to be known as Pear Tree Solar Farm, located on land off Drewels Lane, Abbotsley, Cambridgeshire. The project will generate approximately 49.9 megawatts (MW), producing enough clean renewable energy to cover the annual electrical consumption of over 16,000 homes each year.
Contact us
Email: info@peartreesolarfarm.co.uk
Call our free information line: 0800 316 1736
Welcome to
Pear Tree Solar Farm
Low Carbon is bringing forward a new renewable energy project along with the infrastructure needed to export the electricity it generates to the local network operator, UK Power Networks (Eastern).
Pear Tree Solar Farm, located on land off Drewels Lane, Abbotsley, will generate approximately 49.9 megawatts (MW), producing enough clean renewable energy to cover the annual electrical consumption of approximately 16,000 homes each year.
The solar farm, co-located with battery storage will contribute to supporting our transition to a low carbon energy system while securing the energy needs for Great Britain whilst helping to reach our commitment of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Pear Tree Solar Farm is proposed for a period of 40 years, after which the modules would be decommissioned and removed from the land and as many items will be recycled or re-purposed as possible.
We want to ensure the community around this proposal is informed and fully understands the plans for the project. We encourage feedback and suggestions to help influence the design. Our project website provides a simple and transparent way for the community to provide feedback.
Site Location
The extent of land available to build Pear Tree Solar Farm is wholly contained within one site of approximately 72 hectares (177 acres), in the parish of Abbotsley.
Construction Information
A typical construction period for a solar farm of this scale is around 20-30 weeks. It is proposed that construction working hours would be as follows:08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday08:00 - 13:00 Saturday
Access information
The preferred construction route will come from the A428 onto B1042 Barford Road heading south on B1046, Potton Road.The proposed maintenance and construction route will access the site from Potton Road through an existing access road.We have engaged a Highways Consultant to advise us of the best route. A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) will be agreed with the Local Highways Authority ahead of any construction.
Point of connection
The electricity generated by the solar panels is proposed to connect into the local distribution network operator, via underground cables into Little Barford Substation. The underground cable is proposed to run north on Potton Road B1046, west on the A428, and south onto Barford Road.
Timeline
- January - March 2023
Pre-Planning Council Consultation
- March 2023
EIA Screening & Parish Consultation
- April - May 2023
Community Consultation
- Summer 2023
Planning application submission to Huntingdonshire District Council
- Winter 2023
District Council will consider and determine the application
- Summer 2024
Earliest commencement of Construction (if planning permission is granted)
Additional Information
- We have submitted a full planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council (ref: 23/01507/FUL), click here to access the application.
Benefits
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the site is improved for nature and shows a biodiversity net gain, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats whilst allowing the land to recover from a monocultural environment. We are thereby creating a species rich haven for wildlife.
Beehives
We encourage the siting of beehives within the solar farm, which not only helps to pollinate nearby crops and plants but provides a secure environment with readily available food sources. The hives are tended by trained local beekeepers to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon is committed to working in partnership with local landowners to provide where possible a unique and innovative space for them to graze their sheep amongst the solar panels.
Grazing sheep at our sites has proved to be hugely popular amongst our landlords for several reasons, notably because the sites are secure which means the sheep are safe and the solar modules provide shelter from the winds and shade from the sun and rain.
Public Rights of Way (PROW)
We would look to keep the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) open throughout construction and operation of the solar farm.
If possible and to maintain the enjoyment of these paths we look to include buffers of meadow or wildflower planting and a thick hedgerow to help screen direct views of the solar farm.
Planting
Our sites are designed around existing hedgerows and trees. We look
to enhance the site with additional planting of native species of hedgerows, trees, pasture-mix grasses and wildflowers.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Why here?
Low Carbon has carefully identified this site as part of a detailed feasibility process to deliver a large-scale clean energy scheme. Many factors are considered by our specialists when evaluating appropriate sites for development. These include considering the available grid locally as well as various planning and environmental constraints.
Solar offers a low cost, safe and low carbon way of delivering clean power to meet this target as well as reduce the levels of carbon dioxide that are being emitted into the atmosphere by replacing electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Will the energy be distributed locally?
The energy produced by Pear Tree Solar Farm will flow to Little Barton Substation. From there the power flows to the local area - flowing west towards Eaton Socon, east towards Abbotsley, Waresley and Great Grandson and north towards Eaton Ford and Little Paxton, before joining the main lines into the wider UK transmission system.
The renewable energy produced from our solar farm connects into a high voltage (HV) cable. As the electricity travels through the local network, it feeds into the low voltage (LV) cables, which power households and commercial sites (e.g. switching on lights / boiling a kettle).
While the nature of the daily power flows through the network will change frequently, due to the density of the population in the surrounding area, the renewable energy from our solar farm is highly likely to be used almost entirely by current households, farms, commercial sites and other electricity users in the local region (please see the map below) before joining the main lines into the wider UK Transmission system.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels and energy storage facilities?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will there be noise and visual impacts from Pear Tree Solar Farm?
As part of our ongoing work to determine the design of the project, we are undertaking surveys to ensure the levels of noise produced by the equipment onsite is within an acceptable range. Low Carbon will produce a full noise impact assessment as part of our application for development consent.
Similarly, studies are ongoing to ensure the visual impact of the Solar Farm on the local landscape is minimised. This will include screening and the installation of other mitigation measures in the appropriate locations around the perimeter of the land available for the project.
Will Pear Tree Solar Farm use land that could be used from growing crops for food production?
There is always a balance to be found when new development comes forward, with many factors and impacts to consider. Due to its proposed location, Pear Tree Solar Farm will potentially utilise land that could be used for agricultural production. However, the land take involved is minimal in the context of food production across Cambridgeshire and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.
Will the solar farm cause any glint and glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect it. They pose little risk of glint or glare. Testament to this fact is the installation of solar panels at Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
Will Pear Tree Solar Farm help support British Energy Security?
The local renewable energy that Pear Tree Solar Farm will generate will reduce the need to import fossil fuel-generated energy from further afield, reducing the strain on wider Transmission networks and reducing the need for more or bigger pylons in the region. Our proposed solar farm contributes to the area’s aspiration for achieving net-zero objectives, crucial to combat climate change and increasing fuel costs.