Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today highlighted the tremendous potential to help tackle the nature and climate crises head-on presented by Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park proposed for land north of Staythorpe Power Station.

Speaking about the proposal and the charity’s in principle backing for the scheme, Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson said:

“Having reviewed many solar scheme applications over recent years we are acutely aware that solar projects on farmland can be an emotive subject. When assessing proposals, our primary consideration is potential impact on wildlife habitats and species and this scheme is by far the most nature focussed we have come across. Elements Green have made huge efforts to retain and link existing habitats as well as incorporating proposals to create over 800 acres of new habitat, plant 50,000 trees and create 25km of new hedgerows.”  

The charity, which has been working to promote and protect the county’s wildlife since 1963 and is committed to creating a wilder Nottinghamshire for all, believes that contributing its local ecological expertise to the project’s expert advisory panel,  provides the best opportunity to ensure that the proposal delivers the greatest benefit possible for the county’s wildlife should the scheme be given the green light by the Government.

Mr Wilkinson added: “As we face up to a joint nature and climate crisis, we need to take urgent action to not only improve energy efficiency and decarbonise our energy supply but also make more space for nature at scale and restore our natural systems. It's essential that renewable energy projects support nature’s recovery, and we are therefore delighted to have the opportunity, alongside other nature charities, to help ensure the Great North Solar & Biodiversity Park is exemplary in delivering nature’s recovery and contributes to the protection and enhancement of habitats and species in the county. We feel our involvement, bringing our extensive knowledge of the County’s wildlife and our experience of habitat creation and restoration, makes these outcomes more likely.”

Elements Green, the company behind the proposals, is currently hosting a second phase of community consultation which is open until Thursday 20^th February. This includes a roadshow featuring detailed plans and opportunities to speak to the team behind the scheme at events in local villages including Carlton-on-Trent & Eakringas well as one at Newark Town Hall. 

Whilst the scale of this proposal means the decision will be made at a national level, the Trust believes that there must be a strategic local, regional and national framework to ensure that future planning decisions relating to energy infrastructure take account of all major considerations and provide appropriate opportunity for local residents to voice their concerns and shape proposals.

Mr Wilkinson continued: “As a local charity we recognise that people will have concerns about this scheme, but we would urge them to find out more about the approach being taken by Elements Green and the specific plans for creating new wildlife habitat. As well as safeguarding existing habitat, the scheme includes the creation of over 800 acres of new grassland, wetlands and woodland – an area larger than our Attenborough, Besthorpe and Skylarks nature reserves combined. As the country seeks to deliver on its commitment to ensure that 30% of land is supporting wildlife by 2030 it is vital that opportunities for nature recovery on the scale proposed by the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park are fully explored.

Details about the project and consultation, which runs until Feb 20^th can be found on the GNR Solar Park website.