Challenge
To get to Net Zero, Plymouth is making a rapid transition into renewable power sources. This scheme provides one of the key opportunities to make a substantial contribution to the City’s Climate Emergency response.
The 30 acre former landfill site at Chelson Meadow in Plymouth is to be transformed into a community-owned solar farm that will provide power for up to 4,000 homes.
A specific challenge has been to design the efficiency of the solar site, whilst ensuring the protection of landscape and heritage features, and enhancing wildlife biodiversity. Engain’s role has been to advise on landscape, heritage and biodiversity protection and design, and lead the environmental planning.
Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) has retained Engain to support working with Plymouth City Council to deliver the scheme.
Achievements
Engain was appointed to coordinate the environmental assessment of the project. Our team has been working closely with partners to address key issues of biodiversity and protected wildlife, and heritage and landscape. Chelson Meadow is adjacent to the historic National Trust’s Saltram House.
The initial work fed into the successful Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) funding bid, and feasibility studies have shown that this scheme will generate a significant amount of the City’s renewable power, whilst also having the potential to deliver improved habitats for local wildlife.
Our experienced team coordinated the planning application stage, providing support to PEC and Plymouth City Council to evaluate the environmental aspects of the proposals, and to maximise the positive impacts that the project will achieve.
Partners & Stakeholders
Plymouth Energy Community (PEC)
Plymouth City Council
National Trust
Natural England
Historic England
