Little South web presentation

Introducing Little South Solar Farm

Statkraft has submitted a planning application for a new solar energy farm on land to the southwest of Richborough, Sandwich.

Little South Solar Farm

Little South Solar Farm is a proposal for a new 49.9MW solar farm that has the potential to generate renewable electricity equivalent to the needs of over 15,000 homes*, support the decarbonisation of the local area and contribute to the Government’s target of 70GW solar generation capacity by 2035.

*Based on average household consumption of 3,509kWh, BEIS 2022

Why is this a good site for solar energy generation?

Lower Quality Agricultural Land Exceptional Solar Irradiation

Suitable Grid Connection

Opportunities for landscape planting and biodiversity enhancements

No loss of “Best and Most Versatile” agricultural land as a result of the solar farm.

Among the best locations in the country for generating solar energy.

Energy can be connected to the grid within the site.

Across the site, our plans will achieve biodiversity net gain and restore priority habitats.

Benefits for the local area

If consented, this project will generate a Community Benefit Fund of over £350,000 over the operational lifetime. We will work with the local communities to develop a fund that helps meet local priorities.

A variety of goods and services will be required throughout construction - you can register your interest or recommend a local company via our suppliers register.

The project is expected to deliver over £50,000 pa to Dover District Council in business rates.

Helping the UK to secure its green energy future by reducing reliance on imported fuels and Dover District Council’s Climate Change Strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Responding to feedback

In 2022, we consulted Dover District Council on the opportunities and constraints, as well as the potential for environmental impacts of the scheme, through a process known as ‘EIA Scoping’. After that, we consulted on the plans with residents in Spring 2023 which gave us an opportunity to update and revise our proposals with the input of local people.

Responding to feedback: Reduced Panel Heights

Following feedback, we reduced the proposed height of the panels from 4.46m to 2.7m  and from tracking panels to fixed to limit the visual impact across the site.

Original height: 4.46m

New height: 2.7m

Responding to feedback: Sensitive Construction Route

We have added a temporary access road for construction traffic to bypass tight corners during construction and avoid disrupting local properties on our initial proposed route.

We have also added two different access points for construction vehicles to improve highway safety.

All vehicles to and from the Site (during construction and decommissioning) will utilise the temporary proposed access point off Cooper Street Drove.

Responding to feedback: Protecting local heritage

Following feedback, we've increased the distance of panels from Richborough Roman Fort to almost 600 metres from the amphitheatre and over 1km from the fort by creating a new 16ha nature restoration area, including wildflower, grassland and drainage ditches to the north east of the site.

Protecting local heritage

Our plans aim to protect local heritage whilst delivering clean energy for the future. Solar farms are amongst the least visually intrusive renewable energy developments and generate little, if any, noise disturbance. We have incorporated feedback into our plans from experts including English Heritage and Dover District Conservation Officer to ensure that much-needed renewable energy can be delivered whilst respecting the historic environment. This included:

• Increasing the distance of panels from Richborough Roman Fort to almost 600 metres from the amphitheatre and over 1km from the fort.

• Plans for 900 metres of new native species hedgerow, helping to restore historic character of the surrounding countryside.

• Reducing the height of panels from 4.46m to 2.7m.

• Plans to enhance the look of the site with wildflower, grassland and reedbeds which will restore areas to how it looked before it was farmed.

View from Roman Amphitheatre, Now and Year One

View from Roman Amphitheatre, Now and Year

Fifteen

Larger copies of these viewpoints can be downloaded here.

We’re also working with closely with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who have visited the site. We'll make the site a haven for bees, by planting, careful management, and resting the land from intensive agriculture

Land classification

At Little South, there will be no loss of “Best and Most Versatile” agricultural land. The map below shows that the land is not classed as high-quality grade agricultural land, something that is rare in this part of the country.