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STA02-wyke-solar-farm

In development | Solar Farm

Wyke Solar Farm

Project Introduction

Wyke Solar Farm will be located between Sherborne and Yeovil, South of the A30 and East of Bradford Abbas. The site is within both the Parish of Bradford Abbas, Castleton, Nether Compton, Yeovil, and Over Compton.

This proposal will be able to generate enough affordable, clean energy to provide the equivalent annual energy needs of approximately 20,500 local homes. In comparison to traditional fossil fuel generation, it is projected to reduce carbon emissions by over 1.8 million tonnes – that’s equivalent to taking more than 400,000 cars off the road for a year.

The integration of battery storage will also play a crucial role in ensuring that energy is available for export when it’s most needed. This not only aids in balancing the grid but also supports the UK’s ambitions for a future powered entirely by renewable energy.

We place immense value on local input. Your feedback is integral to our process, and it will significantly influence the refinement of our final proposals.

Site Location

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Facts & figures

Over £ 00 million

Business rates

00 km +

hedgerow and tree planting

00 km +

Permissive paths

00 acres +

new wildflower meadows

00 million tonnes

CO₂ saved

Up to 00

UK homes powered

The need for Solar

The UK is committed to achieving a fully decarbonised power system by 2030, a goal that hinges on embracing and expanding reliable, affordable, and clean energy solutions like solar power. In alignment with this, Dorset Council, having declared a climate emergency in 2019, has set an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan, aiming for the District to become carbon neutral by 2040. Projects like Wyke Solar Farm will contribute significantly to both local, and national climate commitments.

The need for solar

Six solar myths busted


Project benefits

Icon CO2
CO2

The displacement of over 1.8m tonnes of CO2 from equivalent fossil fuel energy, which equates to taking over 400,000 cars for 1 year off Dorset roads over the lifetime of the project.
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CO2
Icon Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure

New green infrastructure such as enhanced rights of way, new permissive paths, picnic areas, an outdoor classroom and information boards.

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Community Benefit Fund
Icon Community Benefit Fund

Community Benefit Fund

Genuine benefits for local residents including a community benefit fund of over £400,000

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Community Benefit Fund
Icon Grazing
Grazing

The ability for over 95% of the site to be used for sheep grazing and remain in farming use, allowing topsoil to recover, by increasing soil organic matter and improving the soil structure.
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Grazing
Icon Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain

Over 50% biodiversity net gain providing ecological benefits through new habitats, such as wildflower meadows, grassland areas, ponds, bird nesting boxes and beehives.
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Biodiversity Net Gain
Icon Landscape and Ecology
Landscape and Ecology

The project will include many landscaping enhancements such as new hedgerow and semi-mature tree planting to further improve wildlife corridors.
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Landscape and Ecology
Icon Batteries
Batteries

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on site, ensuring the solar farm can be as flexible as possible in delivering energy to the grid.
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Batteries
Icon Business Rates

Business Rates

Business rates contribution – over £3 million over the lifetime of the project

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Business Rates

Working with communities

Working in partnership with local communities to unlock a project’s full potential is at the heart of what we do. Our work with local people shapes the future of our projects and ensures the benefits of solar energy developments are realised in a way that positively impacts them.

We pride ourselves on listening to, and knowing the communities we work with by prioritising our understanding of local sentiment. We listen to, and build relationships with, the people, organisations, and stakeholders we work with, to understand their views and accommodate change where possible, helping to leave a positive legacy behind when our work is complete.

Public consultation

Public consultation
Public consultation

 As part of our public consultation, we will hold two in-person consultation events :

  • 13:00 - 18:00, 2nd September 2024 at the Yeovil Golf Club, BA21 5BW
  • 16:00 - 19:00, 16th September 2024 at the Bradford Abbas Village Hall, DT9 6RF

The consultation period will close on the 23rd of September, after which we will carefully review comments made, and incorporate feedback into our final application.


Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual Exhibition

Visit our virtual consultation exhibition space to find out more about the project.

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Feedback

Your voice matters. We would like to hear your views. This feedback channel gives everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts and help shape the proposal. The deadline for submitting feedback to this consultation is the 23rd September 2024.

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Project Manager

I am Gigi and in my role as a Development Project Manager, I am driven by the chance to use technology to create positive change. My background in climate change solutions sparked a passion for combining environmental responsibility into projects that benefit communities, helping to create a more sustainable future.

Ghislaine Morales Arroe | Junior Development Project Manager Lumiere Solar farm
Ghislaine Morales Arroe | Junior Development Project Manager Lumiere Solar farm

Ghislaine Morales Arroe

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