• A landscape and visual impact assessment has been completed based on agreed viewpoints.
• The landscape is generally flat and there are a series of hedgerows and trees around the site, and also between the site and nearby settlements that provide screening.
• Some of the hedges and trees on the field boundaries will be reinforced to enhance this screening.
• The specific height of the panels will be determined by the likely flood risk in that particular field. [Please see the Drawing Ref. ‘082-200 Flood Levels’ for more detailed information.]
• The height of most [83%] of the panels across the solar farm will be less than 3.2m above ground level.  In the 3% of the site area most affected by flood risk we would require the frames with the longest legs and here the panels would be up to 4.2m high.
• A glint and glare study assessed the impact on drivers and overflying aircraft, there were no adverse impacts. Solar panels are designed to absorb as much light as possible, not reflect it.
• There is no one view that affords a complete uninterrupted view of the site.
• Whilst the solar farm faces south there will be very limited views from this direction. From the agreed critical viewpoints there will be glimpses of the solar farm but mostly from the side or the rear elevations.

• The panels of themselves do not create noise.
• There will be periods of noise during the construction process when the posts are being driven into the ground and including truck movements which are likely to last for several weeks.
• No adverse operational noise will result from the proposal as noise emissions from electrical plant will be below background noise levels, in particular the traffic noise from the A55 and A5104.  

• We’ve already completed a preliminary ecological appraisal, a local biodiversity records search and a newt habitat assessment, all of which indicate that the site is currently relatively species-poor.
• As part of the ES a full ecological impact assessment was undertaken. Mitigation measures are suggested to protect the minimal wildlife present
• There is an increase in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) through enhanced ecological measures e.g. supplementing field boundaries, grassland planting etc.  We anticipate that the solar farm would help move the fields from a fertilised ‘improved’ regime to an un-fertilised one which is grazed less intensively. 
• We would also work with the landowner to reduce, if not eliminate entirely, the use of pesticides and herbicides on the land.   This would promote ecology and biodiversity, especially of pollinators, which we would further encourage by planting wildflowers. This in turn should lead to more insects and other fauna being attracted to the site.
• The development of the solar farm would therefore then result in a biodiversity net gain.

• There are no designated archaeological features on the site which may be subject to further investigation if required. However we are aware that there is a circular feature on the site.
• Bretton Hall itself (whilst outside the application site) is on the site of a moat, a scheduled monument.  Mitigation has been suggested to minimise any adverse visual impact on the moat.
• There are no public rights of way across the site.

A Transport Statement will be submitted to accompany the planning applications.  The intention is to provide ample space in the temporary construction compound for vehicles to wait while other vehicles are being offloaded.  Measures will be adopted to allow the smooth flow of both construction and other traffic to and from the site via the A5104 Chester Road. This will ensure that construction traffic is not routed through Chester and Saltney.   Once the solar farm is commissioned, traffic to the site compared with the construction phase would be negligible, as solar farms require very little operational maintenance.  

The high voltage cables will need to be buried underground and a detailed route survey will be commissioned that will show where the cables would run. This will indicate whether or not the road carriageways or footways will be affected in any location.

Details of the proposed route will be included as part of the planning application.  

• The proposal will not result in any merging of existing settlements.
• The site is not prime agricultural land. Only 5% of the land is grade 2.  77% is not classed as Best and Most Versatile.
• The solar farm will be outside settlement boundaries, well screened and not immediately adjacent to any town or village.
• There are intervening fields and hedges between the development and the nearest settlements some distance away.
• The open landscape character within the application site will not be lost given the retention of the existing field structure and the very limited number of critical viewpoints.
• The development is classed as a temporary land use and after c. 40 years would be decommissioned.
• The production of solar energy is of national importance.

• There is no Grade 1 land on the site and because of continuous flooding is limited in its usefulness.
• We have undertaken an Agricultural Land Classification survey and this concluded that the majority of the site in not classed as ‘best and most versatile’ land quality.
• The site will still be used for agricultural purposes once operational given that grazing will continue.
• As the site is subject to flooding this greatly limits cultivation for agricultural purposes.
• Finally, the development is classed as a temporary land use and we can confidently undertake to fully restore the land for continued agricultural use at the end of its operational lifetime.

• This development phase of the project has been supported by grants from the Welsh Government Energy Service, the North West Local Energy Hub and a loan from the Development Bank of Wales.  We are grateful to all these funders for the support they have given us so far.
• The construction will require an investment of c.£17m and we expect to raise this sum through a mixture of commercial borrowing and the selling of shares in the community benefit society.

• For this project to work it is important to us that the local community feel a part of what we are doing, and that we have a continued and constructive dialogue as the work progresses.  We will continue to produce regular briefings and updates, and also hold meetings in a variety of settings making them as accessible as possible as per our Drop-In events held at the end of November 2021.
• Our website is a good way of keeping in touch with the latest developments www.brettonhallsolar.co.uk and you can also find us on Twitter @Brettonhallsolar
• You can also get in touch with us via our email address post@brettonhallsolar.co.uk
• Once the applications are lodged you will have a further opportunity to comment through the statutory planning process.