Lightsource bp to unveil plans for new Newark solar farm proposal

Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects, will be outlining their proposal to fund, develop and build a 32MW solar farm on 173 acres of land at Winkburn Estate, Newark, NG22 8PG, at an online Q&A session on Thursday 15^th October. Lightsource bp is inviting residents from the surrounding area to dial in to the session, where further information will be made available on the proposals.

The team are aware that not everyone has access to the internet, and encourages those who are unable to join the online session to call 0333 200 0755 or write to the Environmental Planning & Sustainability Team, at Lightsource bp, 7^th floor 33 Holborn, London, E1CN 2HU.

The community information event will be held online on Thursday 15^th October starting from 7:30pm. and interested parties can join via the project webpage, or by visiting the following link: https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/utpsjryf. The Lightsource bp team will show a brief video outlining the proposals for the solar project, and will then take Q&A to answer any queries and gather feedback from the local community.

The proposed solar farm will provide enough locally-generated, clean renewable energy to power 9,170 homes, saving 9,330 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 2,074 large family cars off the roads. This project is a key facet of Lightsource bp’s mission to rapidly accelerate the transition to a low carbon future.

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 enhance the site as much as possible for local wildlife. As part of this initiative, our planting, seeding and habitat creation plans will focus on native species. 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 at Winkburn Estate has been designed in such a way that most of the open grassland on the site will be suitable for grazing small livestock, allowing the land to retain the potential for agricultural use.

The proposed fields have been chosen because they are well-screened by existing vegetation which would limit any views of the solar farm from the surrounding area.

Penny Laurenson, Director of Environmental Planning and Sustainability, Lightsource bp said:

“Solar energy is not only clean and renewable, but it also generates locally-produced electricity. This makes solar an important part of meeting the global rise in energy demand efficiently and more sustainably, which is a core aspect of Lightsource bp’s sustainability mission.

Safety is one of our core values, and in order to keep to the standards of community engagement that we’ve set as a company in the current global situation, we’re replacing our physical community consultation with an online Q&A session where the local community can obtain all necessary information about our proposals and provide feedback. We want to ensure that local communities in and around the proposed location have all the information they need about this project.”

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