You will have noticed that work has started on the solar farm at Manor Farm, Bourton Road recently.  Construction always involves an element of disruption.   One Planet is committed to minimising disruption insofar as we can. 

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If you have any queries at all relating to the solar farm please complete and submit the form below or email us directly at:  bourton@oneplanet.ltd

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Set out below are some answers to FAQs on the construction and operation phases. 

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How many solar panels will be installed on the site?

28,476.  You can download a layout plan of the solar farm by clicking on the map on this page.

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When will construction deliveries take place?

There will be a number of lorry deliveries throughout the course of the next few months.  The delivery lorries will access the site via the existing entrance point directly form the A421 and are instructed not to enter via Bernwood Jubilee Way past Manor Farm and the associated business.

 

Mounting structure deliveries commenced during the week of 11th March 2024.  The solar panels and associated equipment will begin arriving in May.  During this period, 24/7 on-site security will be present and panels will be unloaded and installed straight onto their mounting structures. 

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How much electricity will the solar farm be generating?

On average, the annual electricity produced by the project will be of the order of 16,800,000 kWh, enough to power around 4,400 homes.

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Why is the public footpath closed and when will it re-open?

The public footpath through the site will be closed during construction as it is not safe to keep it open during this period.  The closure is temporary.  We hope to be in a position to reopen the footpath once the solar farm has been energised; this is scheduled to take place towards the end of October 2024.

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What biodiversity benefits will the solar farm provide?

Ground-mounted solar parks foster new habitats,  support native vegetation, and provide wildlife corridors.  A recent study published by Lancaster University concluded they can “provide vital resources to help stem the decline in the nation’s bees and butterflies”.

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Once construction is completed the site becomes a passive place to continue traditional farming by way of sheep grazing but also allowing us to farm the clean, green energy from the sun’s rays. 

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With the land left mostly to its own devices over the lifetime of the solar farm, restoration and the reintroduction of indigenous plant species is a welcome by-product.  The solar farm will function as a green space, attracting a variety of wildlife species such as birds, insects, and small mammals. Additionally, the shaded areas beneath the solar panels can serve as microhabitats for ground-dwelling organisms as well as shelter for grazing sheep.

 

By incorporating wildlife-friendly features and sustainable land management practices, this ground-mounted solar farm will contribute positively to biodiversity conservation while simultaneously contributing to the UK's energy security.

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