Following a period of public consultation, Enviromena has submitted a planning application to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council for a 49.9MW solar farm located north-west of Grimethorpe, east of Cudworth and south-west of Brierley.
The planning application has been validated and has been given the following planning reference number: 2024/1096. The application can be accessed here.
The proposals were first introduced to the public in January 2023. After listening to local residents we have improved our proposals for Grimethorpe Solar Farm in the following ways:
- Reduction in land area utilised for the proposed development by over 20%.
- Reduction in the number of solar modules proposed to be installed by over 10%.
- Removal of solar modules in the most visually sensitive areas.
- Increased landscaping and planting proposed to improve screening of the site to further reduce visual impacts.
- Increased levels of biodiversity net gain (BNG) and introduced a public green space.
- Improved community benefit fund offering to support projects in the local community.
Where is the proposed site?
Benefits of Grimethorpe Solar Farm
- The solar farm will create enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 25,150 homes per annum. The solar farm would avoid approximately 14,060 tonnes of CO2 annually compared to other non- renewable forms of energy generation.
- The solar farm will assist Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with national and local targets in response to the Climate Emergency.
- The project will deliver net beneficial gains for biodiversity. Solar farm installations have a small footprint
on the land they occupy, leaving considerable scope for biodiversity enhancements. Research has shown that responsibly managed solar farms can play an important role in reducing the decline in biodiversity. - Existing trees and hedgerows will
be retained and protected and supplemented by additional native species planting to support local habitats as part of a wider ecological network.
- The development of green projects like Grimethorpe Solar Farm also create business opportunities and economic activity which contribute to the country’s green recovery.
- We are committed to using local suppliers and contractors during construction and long-term operation of the project, which will benefit the local economy, and provide jobs to people in the local area.
- The proposal does not require the stopping or diversion of any public rights of way.
- This is a temporary development, allowing the land to rest for the period of operation up to 40 years. Decommissioning and full restoration of the site at the end of life of the development will be secured via planning condition.
- The project does not require Government subsidies.
Public Consultation Event
We held a Public Information Event on Thursday 17 October 2024 from 2pm to 7pm
at St Luke’s Church Grimethorpe, St Lukes Rd, Grimethorpe, Barnsley S72 7FN.
Please find the boards that were presented at the event here.