THE SITE

The Site would require a total footprint of 7.7 hectares, to house approximately 480 BESS units, three control rooms, three transformers, and a substation complex.

There would be no moving parts, no permanent lighting, and any noise produced is expected to be lower than background ambient noise levels.

The site would be secured by perimeter fencing and inward-facing CCTV would be monitored 24 hours a day.

Construction would take place quickly as the units are pre-fabriacted, and minimal excavations are required. Any construction noise would be temporary, short term, and limited in extent. The Proposed Development would be accessed from Sand Hill Lane

Following the construction of the project, vehicle movements to and from the Site are expected to be limited to occasional maintenance visits, not anticipated to exceed one or two per month with a standard 4x4 or small commercial vehicle.

During the proposed occupation of this Site, the land would be managed in accordance with appropriate health and safety best practice. The separate battery containers are anticipated to be of steel construction, and each would include fire detection and suppression systems.

Click the above image to open this artist’s impression of what the Site might look like

Biodiversity

At Stable Green Energy, species-specific bird boxes would be erected around the Site, wood-piles would be left for reptiles and invertebrates, wetland could be created for amphibians, and native wildflower mix planted for pollinators. Additional enhancements are likely to be located in fields adjacent to the Site.

Excluding small sections of hedgerow that require removal to facilitate safe access to the Site, the existing hedgerows and trees would be retained and enhanced. Extra hedgerow would be planted to further enhance screening and create new habitat.

Any newly planted areas would be in keeping with local species diversity, and would be designed to avoid the creation of hard, straight edges. This would reduce and ‘soften’ the potential visual effects of the site, as viewed from the surrounding area.

Lighrock have a corporate relationship with RSPB, and all mitigation and enhancement proposals will be developed in partnership.

Turtle Doves

Turtle Doves have become increasingly rare following rapid and sustained population declines, and have been on the UK conservation priority Red List since 1996.

Operation Turtle Dove is an RSPB-led project to encourage creation of nesting and feeding opportunities for Turtle Doves across the south and east of England.

Stable Green Energy could have specialist Turtle Dove habitat creation built in to the design, including: