Lightsource BP to hold community consultation event for new Hulam solar farm proposal

Lightsource BP, a leading developer and operator of solar farms in the UK, will be outlining their proposal to fund, develop and build a 49.9MW solar farm on 210 acres of land at Hulam Farm, Castle Eden, Durham, TS27 4SA at a community information event on Wednesday 4^th December 2019. Lightsource BP is inviting residents from the surrounding area to attend the community information event, where further information will be made available on the proposals.

The community information event will be held in Hesleden Working Mens Club, Front St,               Hesleden, Hartlepool, TS274PH and residents are invited to drop in at any time between 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm. The Lightsource BP team will be on hand to discuss the planning proposal and gather feedback from the local community.

The proposed solar farm will provide enough clean renewable energy to 13,397 homes, saving 16,865 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 3,588 large family cars off the roads.

As well as generating clean energy, Lightsource BP solar farms are designed so that they also act as a haven for local wildlife. A bespoke Biodiversity Management Plan will be developed in conjunction with the planning application, and this will ensure that the plan enhances the site as much as possible for local wildlife. As part of this initiative, our planting, seeding and habitat creation plans will focus on native species. Lightsource BP is also eager to hear from wildlife enthusiasts and local schools who may be interested in playing a role in the ongoing monitoring of wildlife on the site.

The proposed fields have been chosen because they are well-screened by local topography and established vegetation, particularly to the north and west.  This would limit any close views of the solar farm from residential properties. Lightsource BP will secure additional landscape planting to provide screening from the public rights of way to the north and south of the site.

Conor McGuigan, Director of Business Development for Europe, Lightsource BP said:

“Solar energy is not only clean and renewable, but it also generates locally-produced electricity. This makes solar an important part of meeting the global rise in energy demand efficiently and more sustainably.

We want to ensure that local communities in and around the proposed location have all the information they need about this project. We’re holding this information event to speak to elected representatives, local businesses and residents of the local community, and to gather feedback. This event is also a great way for the community to ask any questions they may have about the project or solar energy in general.”

Residents can obtain further information on the project, at any time, by getting in touch with the Lightsource BP team via info@lightsourcebp.com quoting “Hulam Farm”