Lightsource BP Unveils Plans for Solar at Thorpe Larches

Lightsource BP to hold community consultation event for new Thorpe Larches solar farm proposal

 Lightsource BP, a leading global developer of solar installations, will be outlining their proposal to fund, develop and operate a 49.9MW solar farm on 250 acres of land at Cowley House Farm, Thorpe Larches, Sedgefield, County Durham, TS21 3HG, at a community information event on 6^th December 2018. Lightsource BP is inviting residents from the surrounding area to attend the community information event, where further information will be made available on the project.

The community information event will be held at Ceddesfeld Hall, and residents are invited to drop in at any time between 4.30pm and 7.30pm to discuss, and offer feedback on, the planning proposal with members of the Lightsource BP planning team.

The proposed solar farm would generate clean and renewable energy that would power 13,000 homes, saving 16,313 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 3,470 large family cars off the roads.

As well as generating clean energy, Lightsource BP solar farms are designed so that they also act as a haven for local wildlife. A bespoke Biodiversity Management Plan will be developed in conjunction with the planning application to ensure that the plan enhances the site as much as possible for local wildlife, and that native species benefit from planting, seeding and habitat creation.  Lightsource BP is also eager to hear from wildlife enthusiasts and local schools who may be interested in playing a role in the ongoing monitoring of wildlife on the site.

The proposed layout for the solar farm in Thorpe Larches has been designed in such a way that most of the open grassland on the site will be left free to be used as grazing pasture for small livestock, allowing the land to be kept in agricultural use.

The fields which are proposed to house this project have been chosen because they are well-screened by surrounding hedgerows and trees, so the surrounding area will have a limited view of the solar farm.

Penny Laurenson, Head of Planning Lightsource BP said: “Solar energy is not only clean and renewable, but it also generates locally-produced energy, which can support the UK to meet its environmental targets. We want to ensure that local communities in Sedgefield are informed of our plans to develop the project, and so, we look forward to meeting elected representatives, local businesses and residents at the community information event. In addition to gaining feedback from local communities, we also want to provide a forum to give residents the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the project or solar energy in general.”

Residents can obtain further information on the project, at any time, by getting in touch with the Lightsource BP project team via info@lightsourcebp.com.