Farm diversification including renewable energy is a growing area of interest for Pegasus Group. Traditionally involving the change of use for land or buildings, planning permission for all kinds of renewable energy schemes including solar, wind and battery storage is on the increase. Pegasus Group secured planning approval for the installation of a renewable led energy scheme comprising of ground mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and batterybased electricity storage units at South Farm. The renewable energy scheme provides 40MW of energy, enough energy to power 10,065 homes per year. The development will export renewable energy to the grid for a minimum of 35 years, after which it will be decommissioned if further planning consent is not applied for or granted. The approved scheme manages hedgerows and field margins to provide a net gain in biodiversity and wildlife habitat and was actively supported by the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) who said that it would help to deliver viable and profitable farming to the area. The development will export renewable energy to the grid for a minimum of 35 years, after which it will be decommissioned if further planning consent is not applied for or granted. Livestock will continue to graze the land around and under the solar panels, and although crops won’t be grown on the land while the solar park is operational, they will in the future. The extended fallow period is likely to be of benefit to the soil quality and improve biodiversity on site. Such projects can be sensitively sited within the countryside and need-not have unacceptable environmental impacts. Pegasus Group has an extended track record of success in a wide variety of projects supporting the farming sector’s ambition to diversify. For advice on any schemes you may be considering, please contact us www.pegasusgroup.co.uk