RES completed a comprehensive pre-application engagement programme, for the Varley Solar Farm, in order to proactively inform and engage with the local community and key stakeholders.

In July 2022, we held a public exhibition in the local area to enable people to find out more about the proposal and provide us with their views. The feedback was taken into account along with the results of site surveys and assessments, as we finalised the design of the solar farm.

Feedback from the community resulted in a number of changes being made to the design to ensure the solar farm fits sensitively into the existing landscape whilst maximising the low carbon, low cost electricity generation.

Changes made included siting the substation and other infrastructure further to the south reducing potential visibility. The hedgerow height was increased to the north of the site and the site access enclosed by a close board timber gate to further reduce visibility from residential properties.

Also following feedback from the local community, we undertook a comprehensive review of all possible delivery route options for the proposed Varley Solar Farm. As a result of this review, to minimise potential impact on the community from delivery traffic, we a bypass for HGV traffic will be created for the construction phase, on private land running west of and parallel to Farleigh Lane. Farleigh Lane will be used for other non-HGV construction traffic only.

The Statement of Community Involvement provides a comprehensive record of the preapplication public consultation undertaken for Varley Solar Farm.