First solar park in Torbay: Torbay Hospital

Our planning team were delighted to secure planning permission for the first ever solar park in Torbay, Devon. The £3.1 million scheme, at Nightingale Park will see renewable energy created for Torbay Hospital fed to the site from an underground cable. Torbay Hospital will be using the power generated by the solar array to support its plans to become carbon neutral.

Nightingale Park is a former landfill site which was in use from the 1950’s until the 1980’s. This new solar 13ha site park will provide 3.2-megawatt peak of power directly to Torbay Hospital and can provide energy for approximately 25 years. The solar panels will cover 3.9 hectares extending to 5.82 hectares, equivalent to seven football pitches. The plans also include enhancements to the wider area of Nightingale Park including improvements to the circular walk, provision of exercise equipment so that the community can continue to enjoy the open space. More hedgerows will be put in to help and improve the already existing wildlife.

We are thrilled to have led the planning application process for this high-profile project which is the first ground mounted solar park scheme to seek a resolution to grant consent in Torbay, Devon. The scheme is intended to supply the nearby Torbay Hospital with renewable energy and will make an important contribution towards addressing the climate emergency declared by Torbay Council. Following engagement with the community and working with the ecologists and landscape consultants we were keen to ensure that the proposal also included rainfall collected from the roof. The temperature and humidity are monitored using a climate controller to ensure the optimum growing condition for the strawberry plants all year round. The double layer of poly for added insulation is also one of very few in the country and will help the farm reduce energy use. enhancements to the landscape and accessibility of the wider Nightingale Park for the benefit of the residents. We were particularly pleased with how the layout of the proposals developed which included the solar panels within the centre the site, a perimeter footpath, and a substantial area beyond retained for landscaping and ecological benefit.

The farm has now welcomed its very first strawberries and is working with a company which caters for large-scale sporting events, with the fruit used at this year’s Queen’s Club Tennis Championship.