Solar Farm at High Cayton, North Yorkshire
Background
Severn Trent Green Power will be building four solar farms in England during 2026/27 at locations that provide the right conditions for optimal solar power generation, ensuring a significant and new sustainable energy source totalling nearly 200 Mega Watts of renewable energy, equivalent to the annual consumption of 74,000 Homes, which can be fed back into the National Grid.
Solar power production generates electricity with a limited impact on the environment as compared to other forms of renewable electricity production, as there is no need for extensive ground disturbing foundations, few tall vertical structures or moving parts associated with solar PV arrays.
The High Cayton site, at South Stainley near Harrogate in North Yorkshire, was granted planning permission in January 2022 for a 49.9 Mega Watt Solar development which will generate approximately 50,000 megawatt hours per year (MWh/yr) which could offset the annual electricity usage of approximately 18,000 homes.
The Environmental gains approved as part of this Development will deliver a 166.35% net gain for habitat units and 273.82% gain for hedgerow units.
Recent Activity
Whilst contractors for the construction of these sites are yet to be confirmed, preparation for construction continues, most recently involving ‘pull-out’ tests that measure the ability of the ground to support the structures on which the solar panels are mounted, informing the design of their foundations.
Test anchors were installed during the week commencing the 3rd November and are due to be removed between 24th November and 5th December. This will be undertaken by a team of up to four people, arriving daily in their vehicles, which will be parked within the site.
Planned Activity
During Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th there will be deliveries of three pieces of equipment/vehicles required to complete these tests. Other additional vehicle movements would likely be limited to occasional fuel deliveries for the vehicles involved.
Commencing on 24th November, over three consecutive days, will be ground investigations at the location of the development’s electrical sub-station, towards the southern end of the site, again to assess the ground’s load bearing abilities and informing foundation design. This will involve four people, the delivery of a small amount of equipment, including a small self-propelled drilling rig, towed by a 4x4 vehicle, two vans and a car, which will park close to that location within the fields forming part of the development.
All activities will be undertaken within permitted hours and according to traffic management plans detailed in the documentation associated with the planning permission for this development.
This will include signage on the A61, which will be installed at the earliest opportunity and, until that is in place, Traffic Marshalls will be on hand to ensure traffic enters Water Lane in accordance with the agreed ‘Left -in/Left-out’ policy. Given the number of contractors on site at the beginning of the first week, the Marshals will also aim to manage traffic flow by using of radios to co-ordinate vehicle movements where possible.
A road sweeper/wheel washing facilities will also be provided for the vehicles involved in both activities for use by those involved on site, before they return to the Public Highway and will remain in place for the duration of these activities.