Developers of an extended solar park in the West Wight say they have no links to a Russian oil company.
The Barnfield Solar Farm would be extended by almost 100 acres and created south of Thorley on Wilmingham Lane, with power for almost 10,000 homes.
Hartley-Bond: Entirely funded and delivered by Low Carbon
Following concerns from some residents about the involvement of Vitol, an independent oil trader which had links supplying Russian oil around the world, Mr Hartley-Bond confirmed the project would be entirely funded and delivered by Low Carbon, with no other third parties involved.
Explaining the company’s previous partnership, Mr Hartley-Bond said they worked together, among other companies, on one onshore wind project in Ukraine and there was no current or ongoing involvement with Vitol.
Wilmingham Solar Park
There is already the 30-acre Wilmingham Solar Park in the same area, which was commissioned in March 2013 and owned by the same company, Low Carbon, now proposing the larger farm.
The development would be temporary, for a period of 40 years, after which the equipment will be removed.
The final design of the solar farm has yet to be determined, but would consist of rows of photovoltaic solar panels at a maximum height of 3m.
Planning application being submitted next month
Speaking at the consultation yesterday, James Hartley-Bond, head of Low Carbon’s solar project development, said they were delighted to be presenting the new proposals and it was great to speak to the local community at the event held in Yarmouth yesterday, Tuesday.
Mr Hartley-Bond said they will be looking to submit a planning application in September after looking at all the consultation feedback and information from technical consultants.
Build to begin next summer
Low Carbon hope, if things go to schedule, it would start building the new solar farm next summer.
Feedback on the project can be submitted until August 18. More information and a webinar can be found on its website here: www.barnfieldsolarfarm.co.uk
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
