west welwyn

WEST WELWYN SOLAR FARM

Initial Concept Design • We are proposing the development of an approximately 32MWp

solar farm on agricultural land located between Ayot St Lawrence and Ayot St Peter.

• Private wire (direct supply) to Colt Data Centre Services (facilities located in Welwyn Garden City).

• The solar farm would cover an area of approximately 40 hectares.• The construction period would be approximately 16-20 weeks.• The proposal is a temporary use of the land with a life span for

the solar farm of approximately 30 years.• Ecology and Biodiversity enhancements as part of a

comprehensive management plan.• Continued agricultural use of the land through sheep grazing

alongside the generation of renewable energy.

Cable Route Options Early Stage FeasibilityBenefits of the proposal• Total electricity generated over the lifespan (30 years) is

approximately 930 GWh.• This would meet the equivalent demand of 10,731* homes

each year.• Saving of an estimated 10,890 tonnes of CO2 per year.• Saving of an estimated 326,700 tonnes of CO2 over the life span

of the solar farm.• HelpingtodecarboniseWelwynHatfieldasadistrict.• Helping to decarbonise a local business and employer.• OpportunityforaCommunityBenefitSchemesubjecttoviews

from consultation with the local community and local Council.• Proposals to include the creation of habitat areas as highlighted

in the Hertfordshire’s State of Nature Report (2020).

* (based on Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values for a medium house of 2,900kWh per year as at 1st April 2020)

Key Messaging• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published their latest report on the globalclimatein2021.Thereportoverwhelminglystrengthensthescientificevidenceofthehumaninfluenceontheclimatesystem.

• Commitmenttomakingameaningfuldifferenceinthefightagainstclimatechangeandsupportingthe UK to achieve net zero.

• Morelocally,theproposaloffersameaningfulcontributioninsupportingWelwynHatfieldBoroughCouncil reach its climate emergency targets.

• Positiveeconomic,environmental,andsocialbenefitstothethosethatliveandworkintheregion,with focus on supporting those that live closest to the development.

• Ecological and Biodiversity enhancements as part of a comprehensive management plan.

• Aneducationalopportunityforfuturegenerationstobeinvolvedwithalocalprojectwhichsupportsthefightagainstclimatechangeandprovidesarenewableenergysourceforfuturegenerations, maintaining supply and adding to the UK’s energy security.

• The solar farm will be entirely self-funded and devoid of any Government subsidy.

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Google Earth image: Red – Hard dig. Gold – Soft dig. Yellow – Potential hard dig / soft dig verge.


Ecology Constraints and Biodiversity Enhancements

Early Stage AssessmentPhase 1 Habitat PlanProtected Species Seasonal Surveys are being carried out and habitats have been accounted for within our initial Concept Design.

Trees and HedgerowsTree Protection Zones will be accounted for and works will be assessed and undertaken in accordance with British Standards BS5837- Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction-recommendations. We intend to work with the existing land, leaving a buffer zone clear of panels around any boundary habitats, including existing hedgerows and woodland edges as advised by our independent ecology partners.

Use of Agricultural Land• AnAgriculturalLandClassification(ALC)Surveyofthe

site is being undertaken by an independent land surveyor. Early indications are that the land is classed as lower grade agricultural land.

• The use of the land is a temporary, albeit long term use of the land which would incorporate the potential for occasional sheep grazing on rotation, at a suitable stocking density.

• Installation of the solar farm does not require concrete foundations,asthepanelsaretypicallyfixedtoframework,which is supported on posts pile driven into the ground.

• Attheendofthesolarfarm’slifespan(approximately30years),all hardware can be easily removed, and the land returned to its previous use.

• ThelandislocatedinFloodZone1andisnotatriskofflooding.

Phase 1 Habitat Plan

Non-Statutory Designated Sites

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust – Hertfordshire’s State of Nature Report 2020The report brings together the story of Hertfordshire’s wildlifeoverthelast50yearsandreportsthatonaverage3species have been lost every 2 years.

The solar farm proposal takes land out of intensive agricultural useandintopermanentwildflowergrassland,withacontinuedagricultural activity of sheep grazing. Returning the land to permanent grassland allows the land and soil to rest and recover, creating an overall improved habitat area for a wide range of species.

Biodiversity enhancements will be included in the proposals to increase the opportunity for habitat connectivity and the reinforcement of wildlife corridors.

A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment would be carried out pre and post development.

Site boundary

Local Wildlife Site (LWS)

Herts and Middlesex

Wildlife Trust Nature

Reserve

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Contains Ordnance Survey Data ©Crown Copyright and Database Right 2021

Site boundary

Target notes

Polygon habitats

A1.1.1 - Broadleaved woodland

J1.1 - Cultivated/disturbed land - arable

J3.6 - Buildings

J4 - Bare ground

Linear habitats

Intact hedge - native species-rich

Hedge with trees - native species-rich

Key

Contains Ordnance Survey Data ©Crown Copyright and Database Right 2021

Wildlife SitesA buffer zone would be implemented around the wildlife sites to ensure none of the trees are adversely impacted by the works. The Local Wildlife Trust will be consulted in order to mitigate any risk to local wildlife and identify opportunities to improve habitats on site.

Biodiversity EnhancementsSolar farms are a unique form of energy generation in that a net gain in biodiversity can often be achieved on site. In partnership with an independent ecologist and taking advice from the Councils Ecologist and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, we will be proposing a robust set of measures to ensure the current biodiversity value on site is maintained and, more importantly, enhanced as a result of our proposals.


Landscape and Visual Assessment Early Stage Assessment

Google Earth image: Areas of interest (red) Green Belt (light green) Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) ALC Grade 2 (pink) Urban (pale blue) Non-agricultural (purple) Blue outline – Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council administrative boundaryRed circles illustrate our 5-10km search radius

Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV)

Impacts on Landscape Character:Based on an Initial Landscape and Visual Report, carried out by an independent landscape consultant, it is understood that there would be the potential for some impacts on landscape character within the identified Landscape Character Areas (LCAs). However, with regard to the relatively limited visibility of the site from the surrounding landscape, as illustrated in the Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV) and as further observed on site once the additional screening by hedgerows and other vegetation is considered, it is understood that the extent and nature of such effects would be minor and localised in nature to its immediate environs. However, again these would be reduced by the nature of the vegetation screening in the landscape and overall be limited in nature.

Impact on the Green Belt:The site and part of the surrounding landscape is situated within Green Belt, but due to the limited visibility of the site as a result of natural screening by vegetation and topography, the potential for impacts to its ‘openness’ will be more limited. Development in the Green Belt requires Very Special Circumstances, where the benefits to the scheme clearly outweigh any potential harm to the Green Belt.

Impacts on Residential Properties:Overall, there are only a very small number of residential properties with limited views of the site. Therefore, there may be some potential for minor impact on the visual amenity

Sequential Approach to Development in the Green Belt

Developing in Green Belt – Very Special Circumstances• The development makes a valuable contribution to national energy

policy, objectives and legislation relating to renewable energy.• Helping to decarbonise a local business and employer.• The development will contribute positively to the challenge

of mitigating climate change with a wider need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve our security of energy supply and a reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels.

• There is a lack of suitable sites outside of the Green Belt on previously developed land or non-agricultural land, with landowner agreement which could connect to the private off-taker and would be suitable to accommodate this type of development.

• The project supports landowners with a viable, sustainable form of rural diversification, with the ongoing agricultural activity of sheep grazing.

• The non-permanent nature of the development means that the land will be returned to full agricultural use at end of the development’s lifespan.

• Desktop feasibility shows the impact of the development on site specific environmental considerations is likely to be of minor significance and hence acceptable in regard to landscape and visual impact, ecology, archaeology, heritage, and flood risk (subject to mitigation and enhancement in certain circumstances).

• More locally, the proposal offers a meaningful contribution in supporting Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council reach its climate emergency targets.

of residential properties, but this would in many cases be restricted to views from only upper storeys, or views which are filtered by vegetation screening.

Footpaths and Rights of Way:There would be some short sections of public right of way from which the scheme would be visible, however for the most part these would be limited to the routes which pass through the site itself and adjacent to its boundary. Views from the wider network of footpaths in the landscape would be highly limited.

1km

2km

3kmAyot Estate Solar Farm

SCREENED AND BARE EARTH ZONE

OF THEORETICAL VISIBILITY (ZTV)

DRWG No: P21-1958.001

REV: -

Drawn by : EK

Approved by: DT

Date: 06/07/2021

Scale: 1:32,000 @ A3

Screened ZTV Production Information

DTM data used in calculations is OS Terrain 2 that hasbeen combined with OS Open Map Local data for woodland and buildings to create a Digital Surface Model (DSM).

Indicative woodland and building heights are modelled at 15m and 8m respectively.

Viewer height set at 1.7m(in accordance with para 6.11 of GLVIA Third Edition)

Calculations include earth curvature and light refractionN.B. This Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) imageillustrates the theoretical extent of where the developmentmay be visible from, assuming 100% atmospheric visibility,and includes the screening effect from vegetation

Site Boundary

Radius rings

OS Open Map Local Woodland

OS Open Map Local Building

Bare Earth Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Note: proposed development at height of 3m

Green belt boundaries (Nov. 2020)

KEY

Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Crown copyright, All rights reserved. Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449. Pegasus accepts no liability for any use of this document other than for its original purpose, or by the original client, or following Pegasus' express agreement to such use. T 0113 287 8200 www.pegasusgroup.co.uk

PLANNING | DESIGN | ENVIRONMENT | ECONOMICS | HERITAGE

Client: Black Mountain Developments

Rev Date By Note

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Historic Environment Early Stage Assessment

Designated Heritage Assets

When considering the proposed site as a desk-based exercise and using the Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV), there are a number of designated assets in close proximity to the site. However, the site visit and field reconnaissance have identified that the actual visibility between the proposed site and any of the identified designated heritage assets is low to none.

Below are conclusions of a recent technical assessment by an independent landscape and heritage consultancy.

Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV)

Ayot St Lawrence Conservation AreaIt is considered that the proposed scheme would not result in significant adverse effects to the special character of the Ayot St. Lawrence Conservation Area.

Listed Buildings It is considered that the proposed scheme would not result in significant adverse effects to the identified surrounding Listed Buildings.

Registered Park and GardenThere will be no anticipated significant adverse effects to the significance of the grade II registered park and garden of Ayot House through changes to setting arising from the proposed scheme.

Hill Farm (non-designated) There is the slight potential for an adverse effect upon the non-designated asset of Hill Farm through changes to its setting. However firstly, this is a non-designated asset and the weight to be accorded to such an effect is commensurate with the value of the asset. Any harm or impact identified would likely result in a less than significant effect. In addition, it is considered by an independent heritage consultancy that

this impact or harm could be mitigated through the use of landscaping and a buffer moving development away from the building itself.

Archaeology There are Archaeological Areas of Significance in close proximity to the site, however none are located within the site.

1km

2km

3kmAyot Estate Solar Farm

SCREENED AND BARE EARTH ZONE

OF THEORETICAL VISIBILITY (ZTV)

DRWG No: P21-1958.001

REV: -

Drawn by : EK

Approved by: DT

Date: 06/07/2021

Scale: 1:32,000 @ A3

Screened ZTV Production Information

DTM data used in calculations is OS Terrain 2 that hasbeen combined with OS Open Map Local data for woodland and buildings to create a Digital Surface Model (DSM).

Indicative woodland and building heights are modelled at 15m and 8m respectively.

Viewer height set at 1.7m(in accordance with para 6.11 of GLVIA Third Edition)

Calculations include earth curvature and light refractionN.B. This Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) imageillustrates the theoretical extent of where the developmentmay be visible from, assuming 100% atmospheric visibility,and includes the screening effect from vegetation

Site Boundary

Radius rings

OS Open Map Local Woodland

OS Open Map Local Building

Bare Earth Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Note: proposed development at height of 3m

Green belt boundaries (Nov. 2020)

KEY

Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Crown copyright, All rights reserved. Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449. Pegasus accepts no liability for any use of this document other than for its original purpose, or by the original client, or following Pegasus' express agreement to such use. T 0113 287 8200 www.pegasusgroup.co.uk


Client: Black Mountain Developments

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Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 2019 Emapsite Licence number 0100031673. Ordnance Survey Copyright Licence number 100042093. Promap Licence number 100020449. Pegasus accepts no liability for any use of this document other than for its original purpose, or by the original client, or following Pegasus’ express agreement to such use. T 01285 641717 www.pegasusgroup.co.uk

WCG Ayot Estate

Figure 1: Designated Heritage Assets

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Why Do We Need Renewable Energy?

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council More locally, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council declared a climate change emergency in 2019 and set itself five ambitious objectives:

1. To reduce carbon emissions from our own estate and operations to net zero by 2030.

2. To comply with statutory obligations to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

3. To work with, support, encourage and engage residents, communities, businesses and other partners in initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

4. To embed climate change mitigation and adaptation into our plans, strategies and policies.

5. To reduce carbon emissions across the borough by promoting energy efficiency measures, sustainable construction, renewable energy, sustainable transport and behavioural change.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is one of the partners of Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) which seeks to ‘engage across Hertfordshire with community groups, the voluntary sector, residents and businesses to stimulate and facilitate behaviour change around climate change and to achieve shared carbon reduction goals across the county’.

The Climate Change Act 2008 introduced the first legally binding target for 2050 to reduce greenhouse gases by 80%. This was further enhanced in 2019 with the UK Government amending the Act to a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Electricity demand is set to increase significantly as fossil fuels are phased out. Increasing the proportion of power generated from renewable sources is critical to tackling climate change.

More recently the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published their latest report on the global climate, Assessment Report 6 (AR6) in August of this year (2021) The report overwhelmingly strengthens the scientific evidence of the human influence on the climate system.

While there are a combination of climatic impact-drivers, fossil fuel emissions are a principal contributor to the climate crisis, so replacing gas and coal powered electricity generators with clean renewable technology is critical if we are to start to undo the decades of damage that has initiated climate change.

Governments, local authorities, communities, and businesses all have a responsibility to play their part in addressing the climate emergency and this project aims to help achieve that.


Who is the Off taker?Colt Data Centre Services (DCS) is one of the leading global data centre operators, with an operating facility in Welwyn Garden City. Data centres are an essential part of the modern economy, providing vital infrastructure for countless businesses and underpinning the transition to a low carbon economy. The role of data centres as critical infrastructure has been supported by Sir John Armitt chairman of the UK’s National Infrastructure Commission, who stated that “data is now as important to UK infrastructure as concrete or steel.”

As a group Colt DCS already utilise, where possible, renewable energy in its European Data Centres and in a recent press statement (September 2021) have committed to achieving global net zero carbon for a its own operations by 2030.

“Our business has a substantial impact on the planet, and I am delighted to announce we are embarking on our journey to achieve global net zero carbon emissions for all our operations in Colt by 2030” continued Niclas Sanfridsson, CEO at Colt Data Centre Services. “This is just the beginning, our sustainability strategy will continue to ensure we are a key partner of choice for the biggest hyperscale customers in the world. I have full confidence that we are well-equipped to take ambitious action in the decade ahead to meet the Paris Agreement and the Global Goals, having responded to the biggest industry challenges of the last 2 years.

For us, climate change is about creating long-term values whilst reducing emissions accurately and credibly. Only then can we help deliver the global carbon reduction needed to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change.”

Who is AMPYR Energy?AMPYR Energy is a global developer and operator of renewable energy assets. AMPYR Energy invests, develops, operates, and manages renewable energy assets and provides sophisticated financing, supply, and risk-management strategies for power users.

Who is Black Mountain Developments?

Black Mountain Developments (BMD) is the UK development partner of AMPYR Energy. The BMD team has collectively consented £1.9 billion of utility scale renewable assets across Europe, delivering new private wire and dedicated offsite solar generation for our customers. BMD also develops grid connected sites producing clean, green energy to help decarbonise communities, towns and cities.

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