LAND TO THE NORTH OF CANWORTHY WATER
A Proposed Solar Development
Welcome
Welcome to the website for the Canworthy Water Solar Farm proposal at Land to the North of Canworthy Water.
In May 2023, a planning application for the solar farm was submitted to Cornwall Council (Application Reference: PA23/04306). The application was recommended for approval within the Local Authority Officer’s Report to Planning Committee. The application was however refused against Officer’s recommendations at the committee meeting held on 15th August 2024.
Since the decision, Windel Solar 4 Ltd (the Appellant) has lodged a planning appeal in respect of the proposed solar farm. The appeal was submitted with the Planning Inspectorate on 20th December 2024.
The Appellants will invite the Inspector to determine the appeal on the basis of an Amended Site Layout Plan (WIN-SOL-04-DR-03-04-01 Rev 19) and Amended Scheme Landscape & Ecological Masterplan (P24-2210_EN_20) – which includes amendments to the determined scheme.
We are now conducting a period of consultation to allow interested parties the opportunity to make comments on these amendments in respect of the appeal scheme until 19th February 2025. Further details of the amendments are provided within the next section entitled ‘Amended Scheme’ including downloads to the amended plans.
Further information about the scheme and how to make comments is provided in the remaining sections:
-
The Proposal
-
Share Your Views
Amended Scheme
The Appellant is proposing minor amendments to the scheme following the determination of the planning application which is referred to as ‘The Amended Scheme’.
The Amended Scheme is shown on the Amended Site Layout Plan (WIN-SOL-04-DR-03-04-01 Rev 19) and Amended Scheme Landscape & Ecological Masterplan (P24-2210_EN_20) which can be viewed on the Cornwall Council website using the reference PA23/04306. A Comparison Between Refused & Amended Scheme (reference P24-2210_EN_21) plan has also been prepared to illustrate the changes between the refused and amended scheme.
The plans can also be viewed and downloaded below:
P24-2210_EN_19 Refused Scheme Landscape & Ecological Masterplan
P24-2210_EN_20 Amended Scheme Landscape & Ecological Masterplan
P24-2210_EN_21 Comparison Between Refused & Amended Scheme
The amendments relate to including circa 2km of additional hedgerow planting, which will provide an additional ecological benefit, in terms of providing circa 2km in excess of 10% linear (hedgerow) biodiversity net gain, as well as landscape character benefit, both considered to be overall improvements to the determined scheme.
The amendments relate to the inclusion of additional hedgerow planting and the removal of PV panels from the areas of highest archaeological sensitivity as indicated by geophysical survey data and trial trenching results. The Amended Scheme capacity remains at approximately 42MW.
In terms of hedgerow planting, the amendment relates to the inclusion of circa 2km of hedgerow in a number of locations across the Site, as described below from west to east:
-
along the southern boundary of solar panel array 1, 2 and 3 to enclose the areas with panels;
-
along the western boundary of solar panel array 5 to enclose the panel area;
-
along the western boundary of the existing access track from Higher Witheven Farm (in the south) to the substation (in the north);
-
along the proposed access track to solar array 4 to the existing access track;
-
to the southeastern edge of solar panel array 11 and along the proposed access track to the existing access track;
-
between solar panel arrays 8 and 9, following a historic hedgerow;
-
between solar panel arrays 13 and 15, following a historic hedgerow; and
-
between solar panel arrays 17 and 18, following a historic hedgerow.
The amendments will provide an additional ecological benefit, in terms of providing in excess of 10% linear (hedgerow) biodiversity net gain, as well as landscape character benefit, both considered to be an overall improvement to the determined scheme.
PV panel removal is proposed from the areas of highest archaeological sensitivity, located within the south-eastern part of the Appeal Site. Exclusion zones are proposed to preserve the areas of greatest archaeological interest as identified by geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation. High security deer fencing is proposed to enclose the PV panel areas and thereby demarcate the exclusion areas; the fencing will be installed outside/on the boundaries of the exclusion areas. The amendments are described below from north to south:
-
removal of PV panels within the southern portion of solar panel array 12;
-
removal of a square of PV panels within the central portion of panel array 14;
-
removal of PV panels within the southwestern portion of solar panel array 14;
-
removal of PV panels within the west portion of solar panel array 16.
Minor amendments have also been made to panel positions site wide as a result of incorporating additional landscape mitigation features and changes to panel technology.
In addition, an access track to the north of the hedgerow of solar panel array field 12 has been removed. The proposed access track south of the hedgerow of solar panel array field 12 has instead been extended to the north west to connect with the proposed access to the east of solar panel array field 10, reducing the amount of access track proposed. The proposed fencing now also follows the track south of the hedgerow.
Please view the ‘Contact Us’ section of the website for details of how to provide comments.
The Proposal (as submitted & amended)
The Government’s intention is to move to a net zero economy by 2050, seeking to replace fossil fuels with more green energy solutions. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Systems, often known simply as Solar Farms, are an effective technology to support this transition and strengthen energy security within the UK.
The proposed development seeks to deliver solar development and associated infrastructure with the capacity to deliver approximately 42 MW of energy, offering significant CO2 savings during the operational life of the development. The Site Plan below shows the proposed locations for panels.
The solar proposal would consist of:
-
Solar PV panels based on a metal framework, pile driven into the ground. The panels will have a maximum height of less than 3m. The arrays are spaced to avoid any shadowing effect from one panel to another with topography dictating exact row spacing.
-
A transformer, power equipment and switchgear relevant to a development of this type.
-
Appropriate boundary fencing at the perimeter, access gates and security provision, as appropriate.
-
Environmental enhancements to create opportunities for biodiversity improvements.
It is proposed that access to the site will be obtained from a road that connects Canworthy Water to Caudworthy. From this road, direct access can be made to the land parcels via the connection to Higher Witheven Farm and the road itself. Further information relating to the access strategy is included in the Construction Traffic Management Plan.
Further information in relation to the design and access of the proposals are included within the Design & Access Statement included with the application.
Amended Site Plan
Comparison Between Refused & Amended Scheme
