Additionally, the biodiversity strategy for the site will achieve a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 19 percent for habitats and 16 percent for hedgerows – way above that of England’s mandatory 10 percent BNG requirement.
“We are thrilled to have obtained planning approval for Ham Solar Farm from Somerset Council after a very detailed review of the application” said Rob Parish, Senior Project Manager at Innova. “To have received planning consent for two new solar sites in Somerset in 2024 is a fantastic outcome for Innova. This is not only testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone in the business to bring the projects to this point, but also to those outside Innova who have supported or partnered with us along the way. We are particularly grateful to the Local Planning Authority for their proactive engagement through the application determination process.”
Together, the two solar farms will generate a total of 47 MW of solar power, further supporting Somerset County Council’s ambition for Somerset to become a carbon-neutral county by 2030.
“I am delighted that Ham Solar Farm has obtained planning consent, which will not only produce clean energy that the UK desperately needs, but will also provide vital habitats for the local wildlife” added Vanessa Becker-Hughes a local resident who attended the planning committee. “Having set up Community Power Limited, which built a 1MW solar farm owned by the people, I know first-hand how beneficial solar farms can be to the local environment and to help the UK reach Net Zero.”
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