new-solar-sunset

Project Updates

Introduction

A planning application was submitted to Stafford Borough Council (SBC) on 10 July 2025 to seek approval for Cotes Heath Solar. The application will be available on the SBC website in the coming weeks once validated by SBC here.

Feedback from Public Consultation

We held a public consultation on our proposals from 14 January to 11 February 2025. We’d like to thank all those who came to our consultation event or provided feedback.

Since the consultation closed, we’ve looked carefully at all the feedback received and below is an update on the proposals, separated by the key themes that were raised. We’ve also provided an update on the next steps for the scheme.

Alternative sites and landscape and visual impact

Local people noted concerns about the development’s location, and how it might impact the rural nature of the area and agricultural land. Suggestions were made for other sites that could be used, including brownfield land and the roofs of warehouses.

We have now updated our proposals to include over 2km of new hedgerow and trees around and within the site to provide additional screening and break up the arrays of solar panels. The development layout has also been updated, with solar panels from the northwestern edge of the field, closest to residential properties, moved to the southeastern edge of the panel array, and the panels on the higher elevation parts of the site in the south have been pulled back, in order to reduce the potential landscape and visual impact for residents.

Included with our planning application is a Landscape and Visual Appraisal, which assesses the potential visual impact on surrounding areas, based on the principle of minimising visual impact as much as possible.

With regards to impacts on agricultural land, our Agricultural Land Classification Report identified the development land to be Grade 2 and Grade 3a, which falls within the definition of Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. An explanation of why the temporary loss of farming land is justified is available in the Planning, Design and Access Statement. Both documents are available to view as part of the planning application.

Alternative sites in the vicinity of our grid connection at Cotes Heath Substation, including those suggested by respondents through the consultation, have been considered but are not possible for a number of reasons:

  • We have carried out a detailed, four-stage site selection process, and our chosen site is the only one in the vicinity to meet the requirements for a solar development at the scale required to be viable. Full details of our site selection process are included as part of our planning application.
  • Fitting panels to nearby buildings and warehouses would likely not be able to produce the same amount of electricity with the same efficiency as our proposals, due to the fact that it is inefficient and technically challenging to link together a network of multiple small generators.
  • There is a lack of brownfield sites in the area with viable connection points suitable for commercial-scale solar developments, as these sites are either already in use or not being offered up by landowners.

Impact on Residents

We received comments noting concerns about potential impacts on nearby residents, including noise and light pollution from the proposals and privacy concerns related to the use of CCTV on site.

During operation, there will not be any noise created by the solar panels themselves, and only low levels of noise will be generated by the electrical systems on site, such as transformers and inverters. A Noise Impact Assessment, which confirms that no negative noise impacts are anticipated on local residents, is available to view as part of our planning application.

Once operational, there will be no permanent lighting on site so no light pollution is anticipated.

In terms of CCTV, cameras would face into the site and not overlook or include any private residences in-shot.

Community benefits

We received many helpful suggestions of how we can positively impact and contribute to the local community. We will be setting up a Community Benefit Fund, and these suggestions will be considered in conjunction with the local parish council (Standon Parish Council) further should the scheme receive planning permission.

Viability of the proposals

We received some comments relating to the viability of the proposals, in particular noting concern over the risk of flooding and how the solar panels will be able to generate electricity in different weather conditions, in particular fog.

A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy, which demonstrates that the site will not be impacted by flood risk, or impact on flood risk elsewhere, is available to view as part of our planning application.

Solar panels will work at approximately 50% efficiency[1] during foggy conditions, so are still able to capture energy. It is anticipated that the site won’t experience a significant number of foggy days on average per year, based on average UK data available. Furthermore, foggy conditions are often present at night or in the morning, when the sun isn’t shining.

[1] Simply Solar (2018) ‘Panel Effectiveness in Low Light Conditions’, Available at: https://simplysolar.com/blog/solar-panels-fog/ [Last Accessed: 10 July 2025]

Design Updates

Following the public consultation and feedback received, we have made the following changes to our proposals:

  • Removal of solar panels from the northwestern edge of the field closest to residential properties, to reduce the potential landscape and visual impacts for residents. The panels removed from this area have been added to the southeastern edge of the previous panel array, further from residential properties. A wet scrape will be created in this northwestern corner of the site to provide a habitat and foraging opportunities for Lapwing.
  • Over 2km of new hedgerow and trees planted around and within the site, to provide additional screening and break up the areas of solar panels, reducing landscape and visual impacts. These have been added to the following areas:
    • Alongside the northwestern extent of the panels;
    • Along the eastern edge of the site;
    • Along the northwestern boundary of the site, opposite Nelson Crescent; and
    • Through the centre of the site.

Next Steps

Our planning application has now been submitted to Stafford Borough Council (SBC) to seek approval for Cotes Heath Solar, and will be available to view on the SBC website in the coming weeks once validated by SBC at: https://tinyurl.com/SBCplanning-applications. A full Statement of Community Involvement is also available at this link.

If the planning application for the Proposed Development is approved, we would look to begin construction in 2033, and expect construction will take 20-30 weeks. Construction could start sooner should the connection date come forward post-consent, and subject to planning permission.