Why Here?

Solar farms have to be located where there is suitable land to accomodate the scheme as well as where grid connection is available. A detailed asssessment of the site has been conducted with the land in question meeting

the required criteria. Extra condiseration was given to the area due to its strong energy producing history and the importance of Cockfield being an energy producer once again.

Will the Solar Farm change the land classification?

The Solar Farm is a temporary development and will not change the land classification from agricultural greenfield to commercial/industrial brownfield. In effect, it will remain agricultural land with sheep continuing to graze the site after the solar project is constructed.

Due to the site’s previous coal mining history the land is deemed as poor grade agricultural land, and there, not best and most versatile land, while also bringing an array of biodiversity benefits with it.

Will the Solar Farm harm wildlife?

There is no evidence that solar farms have a negative impact on wildlife. In fact, evidence suggests that wildlife thrives within the sites when managed sensitively. As
part of the proposals, we will establish Biodiversity Enhancement Areas within the site area which will provide wildflower meadow and grassland habitats to support a diverse range of species.

Are Solar Farms a threat to food security?

It is important to note that the UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures like soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.

Intensively farmed land is ‘rested’ for duration of
solar farm operations improving soil quality and future farming yields. Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.

Bluestone Farm is a former opencast coal mine and is wholly grade 3b land, therefore not defined as ‘Best and Most Versatile’. It is currently used for sheep grazing and, once the solar farm is constructed, the farmer will continue to graze sheep on the land.

Why Solar?

The Climate Emergency, the cost of living crisis and the energy crunch are all linked by how we generate, use and supply energy. We urgently need to generate energy from new, low cost, low carbon sources and Solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources. It is currently one-ninth the cost of gas and less than one third of the cost of nuclear.

Solar is already making a difference, for example between June and August this year, solar often provided up to 25% of UK daytime electricity (National Grid ESO carbon app). The government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) proposed a five-fold increase in solar by 2035. This can only be achieved by deploying solar on both land and buildings.

How will this Solar Farm directly benefit my community?

Bluefield will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment. Previous examples
of community benefit include funding the installation of solar panels on a primary school / village hall, contribution to local recreational facilities, improving public access and local environmental schemes. Establishing a local community energy fund could also be considered.