The Project

Construction, operation and decommissioning

If granted consent, construction of the Project could start in mid-2027. We estimate it would take around two years to build, with the site potentially being operational from mid-2029. 

The operation of the Project is expected to be up to 60 years. Decommissioning at the end of this time is expected to take between two and four years and would be carried out in phases. 

Construction 

Construction of the grid connection cables is anticipated to take around 18 months, and construction of the Solar PV Sites is expected to take about 24 months. 

To build the grid connection, activities include laying the cable circuits (using trenchless methods where required), the construction of jointing bays (to connect the cables together), and the final testing and commissioning of electrical infrastructure.

Construction of the Solar PV Sites will involve site preparation and civil engineering works, the creation of temporary compounds, upgrades to existing access points and creation of new ones. It will also involve the installation of the Solar PV panels, mounting structures, and associated electrical cabling, construction of electrical infrastructure (including inverters, transformers, switchgear, cables, and BESS), as well as installation of fencing, security, and lighting. 

Our environmental work is considering potential impacts on local communities linked to transport, noise, vibration and dust during construction, as well as operation and decommissioning. We’re inviting your views on the measures we have identified to minimise disruption to residents and impacts on the environment. 

Work on site

During construction, core on-site working hours would be 7:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 8:00 to 13:30 on Saturdays. During the winter months, working hours would be shorter to account for the reduced daylight hours.  

Work may occasionally take place outside these hours/days, in an emergency or if there is activity which needs to be conducted continuously. For example, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). 

Construction staff

The number of construction workers on-site will vary over the period of construction – however at the peak of construction, which is anticipated to be during 2027, there could be up to 558 full-time staff on site. 

Construction traffic and site access

We will manage construction vehicle movements to ensure effects on the local highway network are minimised as much as practicable, including measures to provide shuttle buses to transport construction workers to and from the area.  

During construction we’re proposing a number of access points to the Solar PV site.  

  • For Lime Down Sites A, B, and C, the primary access points are expected to be along the road between Ladyswood and Sherston, adjacent to the SHER37 Byway, and along Fosse Way.  

  • For Lime Down Sites D and E, primary access points are expected to be located on Bradfield Cottages Road and along the A429. Key roads will include the M4, A46, B4040, B4039, A429, Alderton Road, and Fosse Way. 

Across the full extent of the Project site, during the peak construction period, we estimate that there would be a maximum of 52 HGV deliveries per day. Deliveries will come directly to the compounds, with kit and equipment then being transported within the site to minimise impact on the local road network. 

Ahead of and/or during the construction works, we may also need to carry out minor highways improvement works, which will be captured in the final DCO application. These improvements would be consulted on and agreed with the relevant local highways authority. 

Construction controls 

Management documents would be put in place to limit and control construction activities to avoid or reduce impacts on the environment and local communities.  

  • Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) – setting out our plan to manage and monitor construction traffic, to minimise disruption to existing road users and limit congestion. 

  • Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) – focused on wider environmental management and mitigation rather than focusing exclusively on traffic.   

  • Outline Soil Management Plan (SMP) – to ensure effects on agricultural land and soil are minimised where possible during construction, operation and decommissioning 

  • Outline Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) – to manage waste in accordance with industry standard practices, reusing and recycling wherever we can. 

  • Outline Public Right of Way Management Plan (PRoWMP) – to ensure PRoW access is safeguarded as much as possible. 

  • Outline Skills, Supply Chain and Employment Plan (SSCEP) – to promote local apprenticeships and use local workers and suppliers during construction and beyond. 

These framework documents will be turned into detailed Environment and Traffic Management Plans prior to construction starting. Measures for continual monitoring and review will be put in place to ensure impacts are minimised throughout the construction phase. 

Operation

During the operational phase of the Project, onsite activity would mainly involve vegetation management, equipment maintenance and servicing, ad hoc component replacements, periodic fence inspections, and system monitoring. Activities along the cable route would consist of routine inspections and maintenance when necessary. 

A team of up to 15 staff are anticipated as being employed – working offsite and monitoring the Project remotely, in addition to occasional routine visits. The main access would be via Bradfield Cottages Road during the operation and maintenance phase.  

The Project is expected to be operational for up to 60 years, and we expect that there will be a requirement to replace some or all of the electrical infrastructure during this time. For example, we are expecting to replace all of the solar panels once during the operational phase, given panels are typically expected to have an operational life of 40 years. Individual defective or broken panels will also be replaced on an ad hoc basis. 

Decommissioning

At the end of the Project’s operational life, all Solar PV Sites would be decommissioned and the land restored to its original use and condition as far as practicable. We expect that most of the solar equipment – including panels, cabling, inverters, BESS and substations – to be recycled and disposed of, in line with industry practice. We expect there to be even greater opportunities for recycling at the end of the Project’s design life. 

There will be opportunities for the landowners to retain a range of biodiversity improvements, including established habitats, hedgerows and woodland, beyond the decommissioning of the Project, ultimately enhancing the ecological value of the area. 

We will be producing an Outline Decommissioning Strategy as part of the EIA and will submit this with the DCO application. This strategy will be prepared and agreed with the relevant authorities at that time of decommissioning and will include detailed measures and timescales. We expect decommissioning to take between 12 and 24 months.