RES Unveils Enhanced Plans for Chimmens Solar Farm Following Community Feedback
RES, a leading renewable energy company, has officially submitted its planning application for the ambitious 50MW Chimmens solar farm. The proposed site is situated between Horton Kirby and Fawkham, Sevenoaks, in the UK. This milestone follows a comprehensive period of community engagement initiated by RES, which involved seeking feedback from the local residents. An integral part of this process was a public exhibition held on July 10th in Fawkham, dedicated to discussing and refining the design of the proposed solar farm. The invaluable feedback received from the community, coupled with insights from technical and environmental site assessments, has led RES to make significant enhancements to the final design. Among the notable changes is the introduction of new native woodland planting along the northern boundary. Moreover, RES has strategically altered the locations of inverters and energy storage, utilizing existing mature hedgerows for immediate screening.
Addressing concerns about proximity to residential properties, RES has successfully increased buffers to the northwest of the site. Additionally, the company has committed to incorporating over 35 acres of habitat creation specifically designed for Skylark. In terms of environmental impact, RES predicts a substantial biodiversity net gain, with a 45% increase in habitat areas and a 39% net gain in hedgerow habitats resulting from the proposed solar farm development. Pauric McCloskey, Development Project Manager at RES, expressed satisfaction with the collaborative process, stating, “We’re pleased to have worked with the local community in Horton Kirby and Fawkham to listen to their feedback, reflect on the changes we could make, and then incorporate these into the plans that we have now submitted.” McCloskey emphasized the crucial role of projects like Chimmens in combating climate change, citing their contribution to generating affordable electricity, ensuring a secure energy supply for Britain, and supporting jobs in the growing green economy. As RES progresses with its innovative solar farm project, the company remains committed to fostering sustainability and inclusivity through ongoing collaboration with local communities.
Credits: [Image: RES]