By Isle of Wight Observer
Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park has resubmitted plans to the Isle of Wight Council for a renewable energy park near Wootton Bridge on land belonging to Briddlesford Lodge Farm.
The proposal includes an array of ground-mounted solar panels and a battery energy storage system (BESS). It is anticipated that the installation would generate around 20 megawatts of power annually, sufficient to power 5,150 homes.
BCM, acting as agents for the applicants, Ridge Clean Energy, describe the company as being well-funded and UK-based with more than 20 years of operating clean energy projects in the UK.
The site in question spans land to the northwest of Whiterails Road/west of Park Road and to the southeast of Whiterails Road/west of Briddlesford Road. The solar panels are expected to have an operational life of 40 years. A previously approved scheme had approval withdrawn earlier this year after fire risks relating to the BESS were raised.
BCM point out that the site is not within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the agricultural land is not the “best or most versatile” and is located near to existing electrical infrastructure which can support connections to the grid.
There will be no existing hedgerows or trees removed and the land beneath the panels will be planted with local wildflower meadow seeds. Along with “new and improved hedge/scrub planting and trees”, it is claimed this will deliver significant ecological improvements.
There is a mixed reaction to the proposals with 19 supportive comments and four neutral ones. The 18 objectors include Wootton Bridge Parish Council who say there has been no flood risk assessment, there are still concerns about possible fire risks, there is no ongoing plan for biodiversity gain and expresses surprise that the IW Council has not insisted on a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
Public consultation on the proposals, which can be found under reference 22/01585/FUL on the IW Council’s planning portal is open until 29 November.
