Cobwood Solar Farm
Cobwood Solar Farm is a new renewable energy project, located on land either side of the A272 and west of Cowfold. The project will generate up to 49.9 megawatts (MW), producing clean energy to help power local homes and businesses.
Cobwood Solar Farm was granted planning permission in May 2024, under application number DC/23/2172.
Welcome to
Cobwood Solar Farm
Low Carbon is bringing forward a new renewable energy project along with the infrastructure needed to export the electricity it generates to the local network operator, UKPN (Eastern).
The solar farm will contribute to supporting our transition to a low carbon energy system while securing the energy needs for Great Britain whilst helping to reach our commitment of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Cobwood Solar Farm is proposed for a period of 40 years, after which the modules would be decommissioned and removed from the land and as many items will be recycled or re-purposed as possible.
We want to ensure the community around this proposal is informed and fully understands the plans for the project. We encourage feedback and suggestions to help influence the design. Our project website provides a simple and transparent way for the community to provide feedback.
Please note, the deadline for the submission of feedback is Wednesday 18 October 2023.
Site Location
The site
The project is situated on land either side of the A272 and west of Cowfold and extend to approximately 45 hectares (113 acres).
Biodiversity
In addition to having solar panels on the site, the proposal also includes biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures.
Sheep grazing
Sheep may also be grazed underneath the solar panels once operational, thereby offering dual use for the land.
Construction information
The site will be accessed from Littleworth Lane for the western parcel, Stonehouse Lane for the Southern Parcel and Burnthouse Lane for the northern parcel. Construction of the project is estimated to take 20-30 weeks.
Point of connection
The point of connection is into the overhead 33kV pylon within theeastern side of the site.
Timeline
- October 2023
Pre-submission consultation
- November 2023
Submit planning application
- May 2024
Planning decision (typically it takes approximately 6 months)
- Summer 2025
Earliest date of construction (if granted approval)
Additional Information
We have submitted a full planning application to Horsham District Council (application reference number: DC/23/2172). Please find the link here: https://public-access.horsham.gov.uk/public-access/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=S4W6V6IJIDB00
Benefits
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the site is improved for nature and shows a biodiversity net gain, thus helping to protect and improve new and existing habitats whilst allowing the land to recover from a monocultural environment. We are thereby creating a species rich haven for wildlife.
Planning conditions tend to require both a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and a Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan (LBMP) to be submitted for approval. The former deals with the construction process measures whilst the latter deals with post-construction measures and those throughout the operation of the project.
Beehives
We encourage the siting of beehives within the solar farm, which not only helps to pollinate nearby crops and plants but provides a secure environment with readily available food sources. The hives are tended by trained local beekeepers to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
PROW
We would look to keep the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) open throughout construction and operation of the solar farm. If possible and to maintain the enjoyment of these paths we look to include buffers of meadow or wildflower planting and a thick hedgerow to help screen direct views of the solar farm.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon is committed to working in partnership with local landowners to provide where possible a unique and innovative space for them to graze their sheep amongst the solar panels.
Grazing sheep at our sites has proved to be hugely popular amongst our landlords for several reasons, notably because the sites are secure which means the sheep are safe and the solar modules provide shelter from the winds and shade from the sun and rain.
Planting
Our sites are designed around existing hedgerows and trees. We look
to enhance the site with additional planting of native species of hedgerows, trees, pasture-mix grasses and wildflowers.Community benefit
A community fund will be established to invest in local projects and initiatives.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Why here?
Low Carbon has carefully identified this site as part of a detailed feasibility process to deliver a large-scale clean energy scheme. Many factors are considered by our specialists when evaluating appropriate sites for development. These include considering the available grid locally as well as various planning and environmental constraints.
Solar offers a low cost, safe and low carbon way of delivering clean power to meet this target as well as reduce the levels of carbon dioxide that are being emitted into the atmosphere by replacing electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Why Solar?
The Climate Emergency, the cost of living crisis and the energy crunch are all linked by how we generate, use and supply energy. We urgently need to generate energy from new, low cost, low carbon sources and solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources (IRENA, 2022).
Solar is already making a difference, for example between June and August this year, solar often provided up to 25% of UK daytime electricity (National Grid ESO carbon app). The Government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) proposed a five-fold increase in solar by 2035. This can only be achieved by deploying solar on both land and buildings.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will the solar farm cause any glint and glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect it. They pose little risk of glint or glare. Testament to this fact is the installation of solar panels at Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
Will the solar farm change the land classification?
The solar farm is a temporary development and will not change the land classification.
Are solar farms noisy?
No, solar panels have no moving parts and emit no sound. Inverters and transformers can emit very low level sound, but these are sited away from houses and cannot be heard from more than a few metres away.
Are solar farms a threat to food security?
The UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.
Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.
How will this solar farm directly benefit my community?
We will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.
Key Project Documents
In this section, you will find key information about the project which you able to download and view or print at home.