BULPHAN FEN SOLAR FARM

PROJECT

TPA was appointed by Enso Energy to support a planning application for a 49.9MW solar farm and battery storage facility on land near Bulphan, Thurrock. Once operational, the solar farm will provide the equivalent annual electrical needs of approximately 17,000 family homes. The anticipated CO2 displacement is around 25,000 tonnes per annum. The Site is situated within the jurisdiction of both Thurrock and the London Borough of Havering. In addition, Essex County Council manages the A127, which is on the construction vehicle route. Therefore, officers from all Local Authorities were consulted.

APPROACH

A planning application was submitted in January 2021. To support the planning application, TPA produced a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP). This set out information on the forecast construction vehicle trip generation, and provided a strategy to minimise the effect of construction traffic on the local highway network.

As part of the CTMP, TPA prepared access drawings and swept path analysis to demonstrate that safe access could be achieved. The rural nature of the site, next to the village of Buplhan, means that it is particularly sensitive to construction vehicles. Therefore, TPA engaged with Officers, Councillors and local residents to ensure the most appropriate route is followed by construction vehicles.

In addition, TPA provided a Transport and Access EIA scoping note. This successfully scoped out the requirement for a full Transport and Access ES chapter.

OUTCOME

A resolution to grant planning permission was determined at a planning committee meeting in October 2021.