AN environmental energy company is set to roll out its proposals to bring a solar farm to the area with a community consultation.

BSR Energy, the development arm of British Solar Renewables (BSR), is hoping to use land at Knowl Green near Belchamp St Paul.

The company will soon be announcing a public consultation on the proposals to give the community the chance to have a say on the final designs prior to the planning application submission.

In order to assess the site’s viability and to understand what technical work will need to be done to progress a planning application, BSR has submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening request to Braintree Council.

BSR says the land, located at Baker’s Road, has been carefully selected due to its low visual impact.

The firm also says numerous ecological surveys are being undertaken to ensure the proposals maximise the potential for biodiversity enhancements, and sheep grazing is also being considered on the site.

After 40 years the land will return to arable use.

Braintree Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, publishing a Climate Change Strategy, in which the goal of making the council carbon neutral by 2030 is outlined.

BSR says the Government has also recently published a new Energy Security Strategy, which highlights the need for a fivefold increase in solar energy generation, to help the UK reach a 95 per cent clean grid by 2030.

Sarah Hymas, project manager at BSR, said: “At BSR we are committed to the communities that we operate within, and we endeavour to speak with all key stakeholders in order to understand their perspectives at the earliest stage.

“The need for solar energy is well established, becoming even more important over recent months as the UK seeks to secure clean power and energy independence.

“As we progress proposals for land at Baker’s Road, we look forward to speaking with residents and understanding their views ahead of the submission of a planning application.”

BSR says it will be launching the consultation before the end of the year.

If you wish to register your interest in the consultation, email info@BSRKnowlGreen.co.uk.