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Aura Power is developing a solar farm project on land between Ewen and Siddington near Cirencester in Gloucestershire.
If approved, Furzen Leaze Solar Farm will be built without subsidy and would generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 12,000 homes, saving around 7,000 tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere each year.
The UK Government has promised to triple current levels of solar capacity by 2030, which is critical in decarbonising our electricity grid.
Solar power is one of the cheapest, most readily-deployable energy sources we have, and it will be a key part of achieving homegrown, clean power by 2030.
This solar farm offers a number of benefits locally with net gains in biodiversity and a community benefit fund of £10,000 a year for the lifetime of the solar farm, offered to support local social, educational and environmental projects.
As a local business, the development will be contributing around £50,000 in business rates to Cotswold District Council every year as well as providing local green jobs.
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February 2025 - We held an online webinar and in-person exhibition on the 17th and 18th February. The presentation materials can be found further down this page. We are now consolidating the feedback and comments received to refine our plans ahead of submitting a formal planning application.
Initial plans presented to the local community to gain feedback to help shape our plans ahead of submitting a planning application.
We will look to submit a planning application to Cotswold District Council having accounted for local feedback. We will then work with the Council's Planning Officers and Statutory Consultees to bring forward a project that can be recommended for approval.
We will continue to engage with local community to address concerns and comments.
We hope for a decision on the planning application by Cotswold Planning Committee.
If approved we will work to prepare the project for construction which we anticipate to begin early 2027
Official connection date as per our grid connection with the local grid operator.
equivalent number of homes powered every year
tonnes of CO2 saved every year
equivalent number of electric cars powered every year
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Engaging with local people is crucial to getting our project right.
We held and online webinar and in-person exhibition on the 17th and a18th February to present our plans and listen to the views of the local community.
The Exhibtion Boards presented are available by CLICKING HERE
We will now consolidate the feedback received to refine our plans ahead of submitting a planning application.
Consulting with the community is an ongoing process and we will continue to update you on the progress of our plans. We welcome further discussions should you wish to share any ideas for improvements to the design or have any concerns we can address.
Webinar presented on Monday 17th February 2025 by Aura Power's project team
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SITE LOCATION ON GOOGLE MAPS
•As well as solar panels and associating infrastructure, the proposal will include new planting such as species rich wildflowers, native tree and hedgerows, improved grasses
•Landscaping proposals will boost biodiversity and improve habitats for wildlife
•Avoids using the most productive agricultural land
•Environmental studies underway including; visual impact, heritage, ecology, highways, noise and hydrology
•Continued agricultural use and food production with sheep grazing
•Community feedback will help shape the design before we submit a planning application
INCREASING BIODIVERSITY
This proposal includes species rich wildflower meadows, grassland, native trees and hedgerow planting designed to boost biodiversity and improve habitats for wildlife.
Solar farms are proven to have a positive impact on biodiversity and nature recovery as evidenced by a recent study on solar farms in the UK by Solar Energy UK. To view the full report please click here.
WHY HERE?
The increase required in solar power cannot be achieved through rooftop and brownfield sites alone. As a result, ground mounted solar is also needed. This site has been carefully selected due to:
•Well separated from residential areas with potential to plant a significant amount of trees and hedgerows
•No environmental or landscape designations on site
•Opportunity to connect into the electricity grid
•Opportunities to boost biodiversity
CONSTRUCTION & ACCESS
• Indicative route to site via A429 and Ewen Road, using major road networks and avoiding local villages
• Peak construction traffic will take place in the first few weeks across a 6-8 month period
• Local residents along the route will be notified in advance
• A Construction and Traffic Management Plan will be prepared and agreed with the Council prior to construction
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Your feedback is very important to us. Please leave a comment and one of our project team will get back to you as soon as possible.
30 Queen Square
Penthouse Office
Bristol BS1 4ND
+44 (0) 117 214 1982
Designed by The SourdoughPenthouse Office
30 Queen Square
Bristol BS1 4ND
+44 (0) 117 214 1982