Application submitted on green belt land near Hitchin for solar energy project at Wandon End, near Luton Airport.

Evolution Power has submitted a planning application to develop a solar and energy storage project on land seven miles from Hitchin, near Luton at Wandon End in North Herts. 

Evolution Power describes itself as a UK based independent solar developer, that they insist was established to deliver sustainable renewable energy projects that will help the UK meet its 2050 net zero emissions target. 

Conor McNally, director of Evolution Power said: "North Herts declared a Climate Emergency in May 2019, committing to achieving net zero across the district by 2040.

"This is not possible without a significant increase in ground mounted solar, and the number of potential sites for these developments is very limited due to grid capacity constraints.  

"This location was chosen as one of few areas of North Herts where grid capacity is available nearby, whilst also providing the opportunity to provide low cost renewable energy directly to local large employers, including Luton Airport and Vauxhall Luton, which will provide additional economic benefits and help secure ongoing employment.  

"This development will provide the renewable energy that is desperately needed to meet national and local climate commitments, as well as safeguarding the land from other development for 40 years and maintaining the rural nature of the area." 

The Wandon End Solar project will have a maximum export capacity of 49.9MW of renewable electricity, and is expected to generate sufficient renewable energy to supply approximately 14,500 homes and displace around 11,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide CO2 emissions each year.

This equates to around 455,000 tonnes of CO2 saved over the project's 40-year lifetime. 

The 106-hectare site is approximately 1km north of the eastern end of the runway at Luton Airport. Around 60 hectares will be utilised for solar infrastructure,  around 42 hectares will be designated for areas to enhance local biodiversity or allocated for recreational use and the remaining four hectares relates to the electricity cable connection route..

Removing the land from intensive farming, combined with a range of ecological enhancements such as new hedgerows, new tress, wildflower meadows and bird and bat boxes, will result in a biodiversity net gain that is over 15x the legal requirement. 

The project will generate renewable energy through photovoltaic panels which will be connected into the national grid via a nearby substation in Luton, while the energy storage facility will be able to supply electricity at times of peak energy demand and ensure the solar power generated provides a stable and reliable addition to the UK energy supply.  

Mt McNally, added: "To combat the effects of climate change and tackle the climate emergency, the UK has to develop much more renewable capacity.  The country is also facing an energy security crisis with enormous rises in energy costs.  

"Wandon End Solar will generate subsidy-free electricity, without public financial support and, as solar is the cheapest form of electricity generation worldwide, it will also help to reduce national power prices and provide domestic renewable generation, reducing our reliance on energy imports and fossil fuels. 

"We held a public consultation during the summer, including two local community events. As a result of this consultation significant revisions were made to the design, in particular to remove fields close to Mill Way to reduce the visual impact. In addition to a £15,000 per annum inflation linked community benefit fund for the 40 years of the project we will also offer to install rooftop solar to properties that are identified as being directly impacted by the development at zero cost." 

As a temporary structure, Evolution Power said there will be no permanent loss of green belt land as at the end of the project the land will be restored to its existing use. 

As the application site comprises land across two local planning authority areas the full planning application for the development has been submitted to the local council and Luton Borough Council.

Once validated the application will be placed in the planning section on the council's website and should be determined by the council's planning committee in early 2023.