Landscape Susceptibility in relation to Energy Generation, Storage and Transmission - SPD

Object

Representation ID: 4306

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Hempnall Parish Council

The stated aim of the document is to provide guidance for those seeking to identify suitable sites for the location of energy generation, storage and transmission projects and although the SPD study says it relates to the following solar photovoltaic schemes: "small scale up to 5MW, medium-field scale up to 15MW, and larger-scale 15to 50MW” it also says that the funding for the project: "has enabled the council to commission a study to assess the sensitivities and capacities of the various landscapes of South Norfolk district to accommodate energy-related NSIP and non-NSIP projects." So, there is a reference to it being relevant to NSIP schemes.

We consider that while the document may be appropriate for smaller scale schemes determined by the local planning authority, we fear that some aspects of the SPD could be used by NSIP developers to facilitate their mega solar projects.

In order to clarify the scope of the document to avoid potential unwarranted interpretations it should be clearly stated that this document is only relevant to planning decisions made by the local planning authority and is not to be applied to NSIP schemes.

Object

Representation ID: 4307

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Hempnall Parish Council

A key objective of the SPD is to: "assess the landscape susceptibility of different types and scales of energy development/infrastructure in relation to the seven generic landscape types identified in the district (A: Rural River Valley, B: Tributary Farmland, C: Tributary Farmland with Parkland, D: Settled Plateau Farmland, and E: Plateau Farmland, F: Valley Urban Fringe and G: Fringe Farmland)) as defined in the South Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment , along with the 20 geographically discrete landscape character areas identified in the assessment."

This could provide useful guidance for small scale developments but there is a danger that NSIP developers could exploit references to less sensitive sites, particularly if they are excluded from areas of higher landscape value. The problem we foresee for those of us fighting the East Pye proposal in its entirety, is that it might help some parishes to build a case for certain fields to be excluded but then the developer could seek to replace those lost fields by including extra sites elsewhere.

Therefore, it is really important that the SPD clearly states that it is not applicable to NSIP applications.

Object

Representation ID: 4308

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Hempnall Parish Council

The study also fails to take account of the fact that the threshold for NSIP schemes is increasing from 50mw to 100mw and therefore, in the near future it will be LPAs like SNC that will be covering solar PV applications up to 100mw - the sensitivity analysis conducted in this study does not cover the 50mw to 100mw range. The document should not be adopted until this range of potential developments is included.

The parameters assumed in the study include coverage of the impacts of : "Ground mounted panels up to a maximum of 4m high" (this should be 4.5 metres) and a: "25 year life, followed by full decommissioning and removal of all structures and a return to an agricultural land use or habitat creation typical of the LCA" This timeframe is inadequate as for example, the East Pye scheme is for 40 to 60 years.

Object

Representation ID: 4309

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Hempnall Parish Council

In conclusion, while the SPD does not specifically cover NSIPs this does not mean that NSIP developers are precluded from using the study to justify the choice of sites where the sensitivity to solar PV is less than in other places.  As already stated, the SPD needs to specify that it is not applicable for NSIP schemes, and it should be clearly stated that all mega solar NSIP schemes are considered unacceptable in South Norfolk due to their huge impact on the landscape and countryside.