Environmentally-Led Design

Light Valley Solar is being developed in response to its surroundings to coexist harmoniously with the local environment. Putting nature, landscape and local communities first is central in how the project will be designed.

Solar farms can be havens for biodiversity and offer opportunities to achieve significant biodiversity net gain. We strive to go above and beyond the minimum statutory biodiversity net gain requirements where nature loss is anticipated, and the project designed to strengthen natural habitats.

To design Light Valley Solar in a way that enhances local wildlife by delivering a net gain in biodiversity, specific examples of initiatives we are considering are listed below:

  • Protection of existing ecological features such as woodland, hedgerows and ponds.

  • Maintaining existing wildlife corridors.

  • Ecological enhancement and wildflower planting.

  • Allowing livestock grazing within developments so agricultural farming practices can continue.

Alongside the results of the environmental studies we are undertaking to assess how to achieve biodiversity net gain, we welcome views on how we can best enhance the local environment and deliver biodiversity net gain. Please use our feedback form or provide written feedback via email or freepost to share your views with us.

Light Valley Solar is classified as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development, which means we are required to assess the potential significant environmental impacts of the Project.  

EIA is an iterative process in which the assessment of environmental impacts is carried out in parallel with the development design process. We will use EIA as a tool to identify the potential positive and negative effects the Project might have on the environment.   

The purpose of the EIA process is to make sure where we identify any significant effects, we put in place measures to reduce any negative impact, while also seeking to enhance positive effects. The results of the EIA will be set out in the Environmental Statement (ES) which will be included in our final DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). 

We will be conducting extensive environmental surveys and consulting with a range of stakeholders to identify the potential impact of our proposed development on a number of topics including: 

  • Ecology and biodiversity

  • Landscape and visual

  • Cultural heritage

  • Transport and access

  • Soils and agriculture

  • Hydrology flood risk and drainage

  • Socio-economics, tourism and recreation

  • Noise and vibration

  • Climate change

  • Air quality

  • Human health

  • Glint and glare

For each of these topics we will assess the impact of the project on them throughout its lifecycle from construction through to operation and decommissioning.

The results of the EIA will be set out in the Environmental Statement (ES) which will be included in our final DCO application.

The EIA process for major infrastructure projects is broken down into the three stages as follows:

  • On 8 November 2024, we submitted an EIA Scoping Report to PINS. We set out the proposed scope of the EIA process for the Project, which is how we proposed to identify and evaluate the likely significant effects of our Proposed Development in order to then determine measures to reduce or manage those effects. PINS then produced a Scoping Opinion on 19 December 2024, which has been considered when producing the PEIR. 

  • The PEIR presents the findings of the preliminary surveys and assessments undertaken to date, together with the measures we are proposing to avoid, reduce or, enhance the effects the Proposed Development may have on the environment. The purpose of the PEIR is to provide sufficient information for the consultation bodies to develop an informed view of the likely significant environmental effects.  

    The PEIR forms part of the consultation materials for this consultation so technical stakeholders, local communities, individuals and interested parties can develop an informed view of these potential impacts and provide us with their feedback.   

    The full PEIR can be viewed here.  

  • The ES presents our full assessments of the likely effects of Light Valley Solar.  

    After this phase of consultation, we will continue to develop the project’s design, undertaking further surveys and assessments. The findings of the EIA will be presented in the ES. This will build on the PEIR and incorporate feedback received during Phase Two consultation and the outcomes of our assessments.