DEVELOPERS are staging a consultation to give residents the chance to have their say on plans to build a new solar farm.

Eden Renewables is hoping to create a solar farm on land 600 metres east of White Notley, next to the current solar farm at Cressing.

The company says the solar farm would have a 13.8.8 megawatt capacity, creating enough power to supply the equivalent of 6,300 homes.

Eden Renewables claim this would save around 5,500 tonnes of CO2 a year, making a significant dent in the local and national net-zero targets.

Eden Renewables is hosting two events as part of the consultation.

As well as a public exhibition at White Notley Village Hall, a virtual online event is also being held.

Both events will provide an opportunity for people to view the proposals, provide feedback and ask questions.

The public exhibition takes place on Tuesday, November 1 from 4pm to 7pm at the White Notley Village Hall.

The online event takes place on Tuesday, November 8 at 6pm. 

Eden Renewables development manager Alec Greenwell said: “People are worried about the impact of higher energy prices caused by over-reliance on gas, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushing up global costs.

“Solar is now one of the cheapest sources of new energy generation - a fraction of the cost of new gas and nuclear power, and can boost our energy security and reduce prices for everyone.

“Sheepcote Solar Farm is sited next door to an existing solar farm which has been operating successfully for five years and which is already well assimilated into the landscape.

“We’re looking forward to meeting local residents and listening to what they think of our plans.”

As well as generating renewable energy, Eden Renewables say the proposals also include measures to improve biodiversity and ecology at the site, sheep grazing to manage the land and for continued agricultural use, and a community benefit fund to be spent on local educational, social and environmental projects.

Eden says it is particularly keen to find out from people what projects might benefit from the funding.

To sign up for the online event, visit uk.edenrenewables.com/Sheepcote-solar-farm.