New solar farm could be built next to A10 in Stretham

Four other energy-related sites have been approved in the surrounding area

A new solar farm could be built next to a major Cambridgeshire A-road. AGR Renewables has submitted an EIA screening request to East Cambridgeshire District Council to build the solar development.

The farm is proposed on land south of the A10 Cambridge Road in Stretham. If approved, the solar panels will be installed for a temporary period of 40 years.

After this, the panels will be decommissioned and the land will return to agricultural use. The solar farm, which would be set over 43 hectares, is projected to export up to 100 megawatts of electricity.

Other solar farms and energy-producing sites in the surrounding area have been previously approved. This includes one on land south west of Stow Bridge Farm in Newmarket Road in 2012, another in Green End in 2014, followed by another two in 2016 and 2023.

The applicant said it was “clear” that the surrounding area has been subject to a “number of energy related planning applications”. As well as the panels, the plans also seek to add security fencing, CCTV, storage buildings, a battery energy storage system, access tracks and more.

Existing hedgerow and plants that are already on site are set to be retained in the proposals. The site falls mainly on flood zone 1 land, meaning it is unlikely to flood.

However, there are “very small areas” that are flood zones two and three. The applicants do not believe the site would produce any harmful emissions or noise pollution.

It’s not also expected to “generate significant waste during construction or operation”.