Wheatenhurst Solar Farm
Providing Clean, Green Energy for Gloucestershire
PACE is preparing to submit a planning application to Stroud District Council for a Solar Farm on land at Epney, Framilode, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 7LL.
The project will generate electricity for supply via a 49.5MW grid connection. The proposed development would create enough renewable energy to meet the annual electricity demands of approximately 9,700 homes. This represents an annual CO2 saving of approximately 9,769 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Where is the proposed Wheatenhurst Solar Farm
Benefits of Wheatenhurst Solar Farm
The solar farm will assist Stroud District Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with national and local targets in response to the Climate Emergency.
The project will deliver biodiversity net gains. Solar farm installations have a small footprint on the land they occupy, leaving considerable scope for biodiversity enhancements. Research has shown that responsibly managed solar farms can play an important role in reducing the decline in biodiversity.
Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained and protected and supplemented by additional native species planting to support local habitats as part of a wider ecological network.
We are committed to using local suppliers and contractors during construction and long-term operation of the project, which will benefit the local economy, and provide jobs to people in the local area.
The proposal does not require the removal or diversion of any public rights of way.
This is a temporary development, allowing the land to rest for the period of operation up to 40 years. Decommissioning and full restoration of the site at the end of life of the development will be secured via planning condition.
PACE is seeking to engage with the local community to support projects in the local area.
The project does not require Government subsidies.
About Us
PACE is a leading independent developer of energy projects.
PACE was established in 2017 as a global developer and investor in clean energy and brings together experience from across the technical and financial supply chain.
We are working with the National Grid to develop a portfolio of strategically located solar photovoltaic and battery storage installations that ensure low carbon electricity is delivered when and where it is most needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There is an urgent need to generate energy from new, and environmentally friendly sources, and solar power emerges as the most cost-effective and rapidly deployable among all energy sources.
Solar power is already yielding tangible results. For instance, during the period from June to August in 2022, solar power frequently contributed up to 25% of the UK’s daytime electricity (according to the National Grid ESO carbon app).
Even in winter, solar panel technology is still effective; at one point in February 2022, solar was providing more than 20% of the UK’s electricity (According to the National Grid).
Solar power is a core part of the Governments’ Net Zero target, and it intends to more than triple solar power capacity by 2030.
Achieving this objective requires the deployment of larger scale solar farms as well as on the rooftops of industrial and residential buildings.
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The solar farm & accompanying BESS consent is proposed for a temporary period of 40 years. At the end of this period the site will be decommissioned and the land will revert back to full agricultural use. Planning conditions and legal agreements are arranged to ensure this is transition guaranteed.
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The UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.
Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.
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No, solar panels have no moving parts and emit no sound.Inverters and transformers can emit very low level sound, but these are sited away from houses and cannot be heard from more than a few metres away.
Battery energy storage sites are not usually audible above ambient noise-levels. A full noise assessment has been conducted for the site and the project design will include mitigation, if necessary.
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It typically takes 6-9 months to build a solar farm of this size. Site working would typically be Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings only.
A construction traffic management plan will be conditioned and subject to detailed liaison with the highways department post planning. Once the solar farm is constructed, monitoring will be carried out remotely by PACE, minimising visits by maintenance staff.
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For our solar farm projects we require a nearby grid connection, a well-screened site that is consistent with planning policy and a supportive landowner. Wheatenhurst Solar Farm & BESS offers all of these features.
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There is no evidence that solar farms have a negative impact on wildlife. In fact, wildlife thrives within the sites when managed sensitively.
We will continue to work closely with the District Council's ecological team to ensure that the bird and wildlife habitats in the Nene Washes Nature Reserve are protected and enhanced
Public Consultation Event
You are invited to our public consultation event which will be taking place on Tuesday 25th February 2025 at St Laurence’s Church, Church Street, Longney, Glos, GL2 3SL (3pm - 7pm)
Project Timeline
February 2025
Pre-Submission Consultation
March/April 2025
Finalise Proposed Design
May 2025
Submit Planning Application
End of 2025
Planning Decision
Contact Us
If you wish to contact us or require further information, please feel free to use the form (situated to the left) or by the following methods:
Feedback@alpacacommunications.com
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