Library image – Solar panels: Pixabay
Evolution Power will be carrying out a Statutory Consultation between 25 October and 29 November 2022 to seek feedback on its plans to develop a renewable energy generating project, together with on-site energy storage, associated infrastructure and an underground cable connection, on land at Aldington near Ashford in Kent.
Known as Stonestreet Green Solar, the project will generate renewable energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels providing clean power to UK businesses, infrastructure and homes.
Stonestreet Green Solar will have an export capacity of up to 99.9 megawatts (MW) and produce enough renewable energy to power almost 42,000 homes and save over 34,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year, contributing to the UK’s 2050 net zero target.
Details about the project and the consultation are available at https://www.stonestreetgreensolar.co.uk and a community information leaflet is being delivered to homes and businesses near the site. In addition, a series of local information events will be held to provide the local community with the opportunity to find out more about the proposals for Stonestreet Green Solar.
The local information events will take place at the following locations:
- Mersham Village Hall – Friday 4 November, 3pm – 7pm
- Aldington Village Hall – Saturday 5 November, 11am – 3pm
- Sellindge Village Hall – Tuesday 8 November, 2pm – 6pm
- Bilsington Village Hall – Wednesday 9 November, 1pm – 5pm
Evolution Power is also holding a Public Presentation at Aldington Village Hall on Tuesday 8 November 2022 between 8pm and 9.30pm. People wishing to attend the presentation should register in advance by emailing register@stonestreetgreensolar.co.uk
Giles Frampton, Director, Evolution Power, said: “The need for low cost, secure, renewable energy has never been greater. Solar energy is the most cost-effective way to generate power, whilst providing energy security and significantly improving biodiversity in the area.
“The project will use predominantly lower grade land, will be temporary, can be used for grazing during operations and will be returned to its current agricultural status at the end of the project.
“We held a first round of consultation during the spring and since then we have been revising our proposals to address comments received. In particular we have now set the solar panels back from the site boundary to reduce visual impact; distributed the energy storage across the site away from boundaries rather than in a single compound; introduced an internal haulage road to reduce the traffic impact on local roads; introduced a new riverside footpath along the East Stour river and identified a cycle access route across the site which could form part of a route from Aldington through to Mersham.
“We have also identified numerous environmental enhancements to improve biodiversity and we anticipate the project will significantly exceed the Kent target of 20% biodiversity net gain.
“These would include bird and bat boxes, bee hives, additional hedging and tree planting. In addition, we have confirmed that a community benefit fund would be available for local projects.”
“We would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to come and talk to the team at the events, or to email, telephone or write to us with any questions and comments. We will have regard to the feedback that we receive during the consultation to help us develop our final proposals for Stonestreet Green Solar before submitting our Development Consent Order application.”
The consultation starts on 25 October when the consultation documents, including the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), a non-technical summary of the PEIR, a Consultation Booklet and a feedback form, will be available on the project website.
For more information, please visit https://www.stonestreetgreensolar.co.uk or contact the company using the details below:
Email: info@stonestreetgreensolar.co.uk
Freephone information line: 08081 698 335
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