Representation by Docking Farm Solar Ltd (Docking Farm Solar Ltd)
- Date submitted
- 11 November 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am writing on the behalf of Docking Farm Solar Ltd who are a specialist solar farm developer and have permission to implement two planning permissions which could be impacted by upon by this Development Consent Order. The solar farm has been partially addressed through the crossing schedule (Appendix 4.1 of the ES) and is referred to as the Stark Energy Solar Farm. We would like to submit this Representation on the Sheringham and Dudgeon Extension Projects Planning Inspectorate Reference:EN010109 and would like to become and Interested Party and take part in this Examination. We will be making further written representation to the Examining Authority in due course. In summary the Relevant Representation relates to the following points: • Planning permission was granted by Broadland District Council at Land north of The Street for Ground-mounted solar farm including associated infrastructure, namely inverters, transformer, a DNO substation & grid connection under reference 20211288 and 20211249. Both permissions were granted permission in February 2022 and in combination, relate to a single development proposal, known as the Docking Farm Solar Scheme. The related planning conditions to these consents are currently being discharged and it is envisaged that a start on site would be made on the project in 2023. As defined under the Draft DCO, Works No.12A/B or 12C Onshore connection works and Works No. 12A/B, Access track would take place across the same site to which the above planning permissions relate. • As such, the onshore cable connection for the Sheringham and Dudgeon extension project is planned to go through the above site at a time when the above solar farm would be fully constructed. • Docking Farm Solar are not opposed to the Sheringham and Dudgeon Extension project and offer our conditional support for this project. However, this support is contingent upon the precise method of cabling that would be undertaken through the Solar site. In this respect Docking Farm Solar would request that this cabling should be completed through Horizontal Direction Drilling (HDD) and at depths of 10m to 20m, depending on the final specific route so as to minimise impacts upon the operation of the solar farm. • Such an approach should be robustly secured through the DCO. This could be through specific wording contained within the legislation or within an appropriate plan referenced within the Schedules to the DCO. • In relation to this request, Docking Farm Solar would like to use this opportunity to reserve our right to appear at this examination if this is considered necessary.