White Cross and Treviscoe online community halls now open

• Hosted at the project websites, the online community halls have more detailed information about the solar farms, including information boards, videos, a feature map and a link to an online survey.
• Under normal circumstances Statkraft would host a resident information day about the projects in each local community. Because of COVID 19 restrictions we can’t do this face to face at the moment so the information is being provided online so that people can read and download it at home.    
• Residents and community representatives living near to both sites have now been sent information about the proposals and advised how they can give feedback, if they would like to do so.

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, is evaluating land near to White Cross and Treviscoe in Cornwall for the development of two new solar energy farms – White Cross solar energy farm and Treviscoe solar energy farm.

As part of the pre-application consultation process, Statkraft have opened online community halls for each project. Under normal circumstances Statkraft would host a resident information day about the project in each local community. Because of COVID 19 restrictions we can’t do this face to face at the moment so the information is being provided online so that people can read and download it at home.   

The online halls and feedback surveys can be accessed via the project websites:

www.statkraft.co.uk/treviscoesolar

www.statkraft.co.uk/whitecrosssolar  

Chris Banks, UK Business Development Manager says: “We want the local community to be involved in the process leading up to any planning application being submitted and are asking for people’s thoughts on the design and content for the planning application. We have an online community hall for each project and we hope people can easily find their way around, and send us their feedback and views”.

He adds, “Any feedback should be submitted to us during March and April 2021, so that it can be included in the pre-application analysis and help inform the final plans. For anyone without internet access, who would like to see the plans, please contact us and we can arrange for copies to be sent via post”.

Subject to planning approval, both solar energy farms have the potential to create local jobs and supply contracts during the construction, operation and maintenance phase of the build, and make a significant contribution to local business rates. Each community hall has a link to a survey where local suppliers and contractors can register their interest in being involved with the projects.

In addition, Statkraft solar farms include many features to enhance local plant, animal and insect populations, including new or restored hedgerows, wildflower planting, bird and bat boxes and habitat for bumblebees; making this a great opportunity for local wildlife.

Combined, the solar energy farms could provide 84MWp of solar capacity, generate nearly 85 gigawatt hours of electricity per year and power nearly 24,000 homes – a significant contribution to Cornwall’s renewable energy targets.

Anyone wishing to provide feedback on the proposal can do so in the following ways:

• Via the project websites, online hall and online surveys: statkraft.co.uk/whitecrosssolar and www.statkraft.co.uk/treviscoesolar
• Email: whitecrosssolar@solarcentury.com or treviscoesolar@solarcentury.com  
• Call: 0207 549 1299
• Write to: White Cross Solar, or Treviscoe Solar, c/o Solarcentury, 90 Union Street, London SE1 0NW