Plans for another solar farm close to Sunnica Energy Farm’s site at Burwell could be in the pipeline.  

An early planning document has been submitted outlining potential proposals for a 120-acre solar scheme at Anchor Lane Farm.  

It says the proposed site is land spanning several agricultural fields off Newnham Drove and is close to the “large-scale solar farm” at Hightown Drove.  

The document also explains the location is near the National Grid’s Burwell Substation which is part of the infrastructure for the 2,500-acre Sunnica scheme Energy Secretary Ed Miliband approved in July.

Meanwhile, the applicant, Burwell AL Limited, is also awaiting a decision on a separate planning application for a battery energy storage facility.    

These early details are mentioned in a ‘screening opinion’ validated by East Cambridgeshire District Council planners on November 21.  

This is where developers formally find out if their scheme needs an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). 

Graeme Thorpe, from the consulting company Energy Planning representing the applicant, anticipates one will be required.   

A key reason is because of the scheme’s “cumulative environmental effects” on the landscape and visual impact.  

He says: “The site does not form part of a ‘sensitive area’ as per the statutory definition, nor is it in an area considered to be particularly environmentally sensitive. It is not subject to any landscape, ecological, statutory historic or other environmental designations.   

“It is however acknowledged that existing and committed developments primarily consists of renewable and electricity-related infrastructure, including large-scale solar farms that extend across multiple fields, the energy storage facility proposal submitted by the applicant that is awaiting formal approval by the council and the Burwell substation.”  

He added: “Therefore, there is a possibility for the proposal to result in a cumulation of impacts during its operation with other existing and approved development, which will likely warrant the requirement of an EIA.”  

The proposed scheme will be known as Anchor Lane Farm 30MW Agrivoltaic Project, with agrivoltaic referring to the practice of using land to generate solar energy and simultaneously carry out farming activities.