Tye Lane solar farm

EDF Renewables has commenced pre-construction works on a solar farm at Tye Lane near Bramford.

Amongst growing concern about climate change the 49.9MW Tye Lane project will generate enough low carbon electricity for the domestic needs of 14,500 households* annually and contribute to saving around 17 100 tonnes** of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The project will also deliver significant additional local benefits. If planning permission is granted, a community fund of £20,000 will be paid annually for the 35-year lifetime of the project, double the sum proposed during the consultation period.

Prior to receiving consent from Mid Suffolk District Council in December 2023 for the proposals, EDF Renewables consulted the community and received valuable feedback from local stakeholders and residents during the public consultation.

EDF Renewables has paid close attention to the feedback received and has incorporated changes to the project. Solar panel heights have been reduced to lessen the impact for residents that live close by, more planting is proposed to act as screening, and there is a greater set back between the panels and boundaries of properties.  There will also be more space between the rows of panels and a greater buffer from footpaths.

EDF Renewables will be implementing a comprehensive plan to improve biodiversity on site, including planting a tree belt, new hedges and wildflower meadow cultivation. Improving biodiversity and habitats was a key them during the consultation, and in addition to new planting, EDF Renewables will ensure access points along the fencing for badgers and mammals and will install bat and bird boxes across the site.

Should residents wish to speak to us or write to us about the proposals please feel free to get in touch by emailing tye.lane@edf-re.uk.

^{* ‘PV Syst Photovoltaic Software’ was used by EDF Renewables to predict that the solar farm will have a potential annual yield of approximately 67 500MWh (to 3 Significant Figures (3 S.F.). In terms of household electricity usage this would be sufficient to offset the equivalent annual energy needs of 14 500 (to 3 S.F.) average Mid-Suffolk homes (based on average domestic consumption per household of 4 663kWh (DBEIS, 2020).}

^{** In order to calculate carbon offsetting, EDF Renewables took a conservative approach by utilising the UK Government Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors (DBEIS, 2021b) for company reporting of annual carbon emissions. On this basis the electricity produced by the Tye Lane Solar Farm will offset approximately 17 100 000kgCO2/annum or 17 100 tonnes CO2 per annum (to 3 S.F.).}