Sheepwash Solar Farm - Consultation on proposed scheme amendments
As part of our appeal against the refusal of the planning application for Sheepwash Solar Farm, the Planning Inspector has agreed that some amendments can be made to the proposed development.
These reflect changes which we had looked to make to the plans before a planning decision was taken by the council’s Planning Committee. However, the proposed changes were not accepted prior to the Planning Committee meeting in October 2022 which considered our application.
We have consulted local stakeholders on the amendments below, which have also been available to view on the Council’s website since April 2023:
- Relocation of the HV High Voltage Compound further west, closer to the point of grid connection and associated attenuation and landscape screening.
- Correction to the northern fence line to the development.
- A reduction in the number of transformer stations (from 15 to 6), a reduction in the length of access tracks (from 3400m to 2700m) and a reduction in the length of fencing (from 4500m to 4037m). This is as a result of the relocation of the High Voltage compound.
- Reduction in solar panels to further mitigate impacts upon 8 Sheephurst Cottages.
- All landscape mitigation planting to be provided within the Site.
- Reduction in solar panels and further landscape mitigation planting to further reduce impacts upon 8 Sheephurst Cottages and the Little Cheveney Farm Listed Buildings.
- A change to the landscape planting species mix to respond to the Maidstone Landscape Character Guidelines, introducing faster growing species to secure screening more quickly.
- Clarification in relation to alignment of the permissive footpath to the eastern boundary of the Site in response to the Environment Agency consultation response. The permissive footpath would run through the 7m space between the security fence and the Lesser Teise.
Proposed amendments documents
Appeal Amendments Summary, (to accompany Drawing SCUKX-SHEEP-000-100 (P) PV Layout Amendments), dated April 2023 .pdf
Drawing AW0143-PL-0002 Rev A Proposed Mitigation, Landscape and Ecology Enhancements – Appeal Site, dated February 2022.pdf
Drawing AW0143-PL-003 Mitigation and Enhancement Appeal Site Size A1, dated April 2023.pdf
Drawing SCUKX-SHEEP-000-100P.1 PV Layout Overview Plan (Sheet 5 of 5), dated 31 March 2023.pdf
SCUKX-SHEEP-000-100 (P) PV Layout Amendments (Sheet 1 of 1), dated 21 April 2023.pdf
Appendix A Assessment Methodology - Landscape and Visual Impact Addendum .pdf
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment, dated April 2023 .pdf
Carbon Emissions Statement, dated April 2023 .pdf
Contextual Views.pdf
Ecological Impact Assessment, dated April 2023 .pdf
Landscape and Visual Impact Addendum, dated April 2023 .pdf
Outline Surface Water Drainage Strategy, dated April 2023 .pdf
Photomontages.pdf
Supplementary Noise Impact Assessment, dated April 2023 .pdf
Consultation on proposed scheme amendments
A consultation on proposed scheme amendments took place from Tuesday 5th December to Friday 5th January. All comments were submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate and will be taken into account by the Inspector.
Original planning application documents
Access Gate Elevation, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-204_02, dated July 2021.pdf
CCTV Elevation, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-206, dated 02 July 2021 .pdf
Edge of Park Switch Gear Station, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-253, dated 30 March 2022 .pdf
Energy Storage Barn Proposed Elevations, Drawing Ref 27899_010 Rev B, dated December 2021 .pdf
Energy Storage Barn Proposed Layout Plan, Drawing Ref 27899_004 Rev B, dated December 2021.pdf
Main building Elevation, Drawing Ref SCUKX-SHEEP-001-HVG-466 Rev A, dated 01 June 2022 .pdf
Main Building Plant, Drawing Ref SCUKX-SHEEP-001-HVG-465 Rev A, dated 01 June 2022 .pdf
Monitoring Cabin, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-HVG-104, dated 30 March 2022 .pdf
Perimeter Fence Details, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-203, dated 02 July 2021.pdf
Proposed Site Overview Plan (Sheet 1 of 5), Drawing Ref 27899_060 Rev A, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview Plan (Sheet 2 of 5), Drawing Ref 27899_061 Rev A, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview Plan (Sheet 3 of 5), Drawing Ref 27899_062 Rev A, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview Plan (Sheet 4 of 5), Drawing Ref 27899_063 Rev B, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview Plan (Sheet 5 of 5), Drawing Ref 27899_064 Rev A, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Solar Farm Footpath Boundary Layout Plan, Drawing Ref 27899_053 Rev A, dated February 2022 .pdf
Proposed Solar Farm Site Layout Plan, Drawing Ref 27899_050 Rev C, Dated January 2022 .pdf
SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-205 Framework Elevation
Proposed Solar Farm Site Location Plan, Drawing Ref 27899_150 Rev C, dated March 2022 .pdf
Proposed Solar Farm Footpath Boundary Layout Plan, Drawing Ref 27899_053 Rev A_February 2022.pdf
Surface Water Drainage Strategy Ref GGO-JBAU-XX-XX-DR-D-0001 Rev P02, dated 03 February 2022 .pdf
Timber Fence Elevations, Drawing Ref 27899_011 Rev A, dated December 2021 .pdf
Transformation Station, Drawing Ref SKUKX-SHEEP-000-MCS-252, dated 02 July 2021 .pdf
Agricultural Land Classification and Soil Resources, prepared by Reading Agricultural Consultants, dated March 2022 .pdf
Agricultural Land Use Statement, prepared by Bidwells, dated March 2022 .pdf
Application Form (Redacted).pdf
Biodiversity Net Gain Report, prepared by Riverdale Ecology, dated February 2022 .pdf
Construction Method and Decommissioning Method Statement, prepared by Statkraft, dated March 2022 .pdf
Construction Traffic Management Plan, prepared by Cotswold Transport Planning, dated February 2022 .pdf
Ecological Impact Assessment, prepared by Riverdale Ecology, dated February 2022 .pdf
Flood Risk Assessment, prepared by JBA Consulting, dated March 2022 .pdf
Grid Connection Assessment, prepared by Origin Power Services Ltd, dated 17 Feb 2022..pdf
Heritage Desk Based Assessment, prepared by Cotswold Archaeology, dated January 2022 .pdf
Internal Tracks Selection Plan .pdf
Landscape and Ecological Management Plan, prepared by Awscape Landscape Design, dated March 2022.pdf
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, prepared by Awscape Landscape Design, dated February 2022 .pdf
Landscape Mitigation Enhancement Plan (ref AW0143-PL-002), prepared by Awscape Landscape Design, dated February 2022 .pdf
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment - Appendix B Photography Verified Views and Methodology, prepared by Andy Maw Design, dated 12 February 2022 .pdf
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment - Viewpoint Location Plan Zones of Theoretical Visibility, prepared by Andy Maw Design, dated February 2022 .pdf
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment - Viewpoint Location Plan, prepared by Andy Maw Design, dated February 2022 .pdf
Noise Impact Assessment, prepared by dB Consultation Ltd, dated 2 March 2022 .pdf
Outline Surface Water Drainage Strategy Final Report, prepared by JBA Consulting, dated March 2022 .pdf
Planning Design and Access Statement, prepared by Statkraft, dated March 2022 .pdf
Public Rights of Way Strategy-Technical Note, prepared by Cotswold Transport Planning, dated February 2022 .pdf
Sequential Analysis Study, prepared by Pegasus Group, dated February 2022 .pdf
Solar Photovoltaic Glint and Glare Study, prepared by Pager Power, dated January 2022 .pdf
Statement of Community Involvement, prepared by Quattro, dated March 2022 .pdf
Additional documents
These additional supporting documents are part of the original planning application.
Proposed Site Areas, Drawing Reference: 27899_SK01 Rev A, dated February 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Compound, Drawing Reference: 21-0354 SK04, date 18 August 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview (Plan Sheet 1 of 5), Drawing Reference: 27899_060 Rev B, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview (Plan Sheet 3 of 5), Drawing Reference 27899_062 Rev B, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Site Overview (Plan Sheet 5 of 5), Drawing Reference 27899_064 Rev C, dated May 2022 .pdf
Proposed Solar Farm Site Layout, Drawing Reference 27899_050 Rev E, dated January 2022 .pdf
Section Through Lowest Site Elevation, Drawing Reference: IRA-JBAU-XX-XX-SK-C-0001 Rev P01 .pdf
Swept Path Analysis – Plain Road B2079 West End Goudhurst Road Sheephurst .pdf
Swept Path Analysis – Primary Site Access, Drawing Reference: 21-0354 SP01 Rev B, dated 7 Jan 2022 .pdf
Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), prepared by Cotswold Transport Planning, dated August 2022 .pdf
Construction Traffic Routing Plan, prepared by Cotswold Transport Planning, dated 7 January 2022 .pdf
Cover Letter, prepared by Statkraft, dated 31 August 2021 .pdf
Detailed Response on Key issues Landscape and Site Security, prepared by Statkraft, dated August 2022 .pdf
Document Schedule, dated 1 September 2022 .pdf
Letter Regarding CTMP, prepared by Rappor Consultants Ltd, dated 1 September 2022 .pdf
Response to Comments and Objections, prepared by Statkraft, dated August 2022 .pdf
Response to Environment Agency Comments, prepared by JBA Consulting, dated 23 August 2022 .pdf
Utility Scale Solar Background Briefing, prepared by Statkraft, dated August 2022 .pdf