Construction, operation and decommissioning

If consented, construction of the Scheme is anticipated to start in 2028. We estimate it would take approximately two years to build, with construction potentially being completed by the end of 2030 and with the Scheme anticipated to be energised in 2031.

Construction

Our environmental work is considering the potential effects on local communities during construction, together with potential mitigation and management controls to avoid or reduce environmental effects. We’re inviting your views on the measures we have identified to minimise disruption to residents and impacts on the environment.

Work on site

Construction activities are likely to be carried out Monday to Friday 07:00-18:00 and between 08:00 and 13:30 on Saturdays. However, some activities may be required outside of these times in an emergency or if there is activity that needs to be conducted continuously.

Construction Management Plans

Management plans would be secured in the Development Consent Order (DCO) to limit and control construction activities and avoid or reduce impacts on the environment and local communities.

This includes those listed below:

  • Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan which sets out our plan to manage and monitor construction traffic to minimise disruption to existing road users and limit congestion.

  • Outline Construction Environmental Plan which focuses on wider environmental management and mitigation rather than focusing exclusively on traffic.

  • Outline Soil Management Plan / Soils Resource Management Plan which ensures effects on agricultural land and soil are minimised where possible during construction, operation and decommissioning.

  • Outline Public Rights of Way Management Plan - to ensure public rights of way access is safeguarded.

Construction traffic and access

Consideration has been given to construction routes and access to the Site for construction traffic, with initially priority given to the most direct routes to the Site from the Strategic and Major Road Network (MRN). Where practicable, construction deliveries will be coordinated to avoid HGV movements during the traditional AM peak hour (08:00-09:00) and PM peak hour (17:00-18:00). Along with construction routes, potential access points to the Site have been identified. A review has been undertaken in relation to the following:

  • Height and weight restrictions;

  • The location of settlements along routes;

  • Use of existing access points, where practicable;

  • Interactions with public rights of way (PRoWs)

  • Identifying construction compound locations with access to the MRN where possible; and

  • Visibility splays, narrow carriageways and single lane tracks.

The potential to internalise vehicle routes within and between Sites where practicable is also being considered.

Across the Site, we are forecasting the peak number of daily HGVs over the construction programme to be 48 one-way HGV movements per day (96 HGV movements taking into account arrivals and departures) for the solar sites and a peak of 20 one-way HGV movements per day (40 HGV movements taking into account arrivals and departures) for the Cable Route Corridor.

As far as practicable, we will manage construction vehicle movements to minimise effects on the local highway network.

Outline skills, supply chain and employment plan

This will set out how we aim to promote local apprenticeships and use local workers and suppliers during construction and beyond. These plans will inform detailed management plans that will be prepared and submitted for approval to the relevant local authorities prior to the commencement of construction.

Operation

The Scheme will be operational for up to 60 years. During the operational phase of the Scheme, on-site activities would include routine servicing, maintenance activities and the replacement of equipment such as PV panels and BESS when required, as well as periodic management of vegetation and other implemented features such as bird boxes and/or beehives.

Decommissioning

The decommissioning of the Scheme will involve the removal and recycling or disposal of all solar PV modules and related built infrastructure, ancillary infrastructure, substations (excluding the National Grid substation) and BESS. This will be done in accordance with good practice, local and national guidance and market conditions applicable at the time.

The land will be restored to its original use and condition as far as practicable. The land will be restored to its original use and condition as far as practicable. As explained in PEIR Volume 1 Chapter 5 Scheme Description, the decision whether to remove underground cables will be made at the decommissioning stage.