Solar farm habitats could bring at-risk species brighter future

The project by wildlife charity RSPB and clean tech company Anesco aims to boost wildlife at the firm’s solar farms across England and Wales including the former Askern Colliery in Doncaster.

Wild flower meadow areas and seed-rich planting in the “unused” margins of the farms and where tracks go between the panels will help boost insects such as bees and butterflies and provide food and nesting areas for birds, the RSPB said.

The scheme will reinstate habitats which have been lost in the face of agricultural intensification, hitting farmland bird species.

It is hoped that struggling species such as tree sparrows, which have seen numbers fall by 94 per cent in the last 40 years, turtle doves, which have seen an 89 per cent reduction in numbers, lapwing (58 per cent fall) and skylarks (51 per cent) will be helped by the project.

Butterflies, reptiles, mammals and amphibians could also be helped.

The project will see the RSPB advising Anesco on providing for “priority” species - those in most need of help - at its existing solar farms, in places ranging from Cornwall to Suffolk, Yorkshire and the Isle of Anglesey, with the advice also helping to form plans at new sites.

Darren Moorcroft, the RSPB head of species and habitats conservation, said: “It is an excellent opportunity to develop habitats for nature in need of our help, showcasing how a renewable energy business and wildlife conservation can be delivered in unison; whilst providing clean energy and sustainable development we can still continue to give nature a home.”

He added: “We’re interested in renewable energy because the threat of climate change is the biggest threat to nature and to people.

“The opportunity of this partnership is both mitigation and adaptation. The panels are helping us to reduce our carbon emissions and the habitat within the solar farms can create the places for priority species to live and survive and thrive.”

Adrian Pike, chief executive of Anesco, said the company was delighted to help.

He said: “Encouraging biodiversity has always been a priority for us and we’re thrilled to be working with such a respected and knowledgeable organisation as the RSPB to build on our existing commitment.

“We will be maximising the positive impact that our sites have for local wildlife, while focusing on supporting those species that really need it.”

Askern Colliery closed in 1991. Plans to turn the former pit site in Doncaster into a solar farm were approved by councillors in 2014. Developers say that turning Askern Colliery into a renewable energy plant would create enough electricity to power 1,850

homes.

Doncaster Council’s planning committee approved Anesco’s plans at a meeting.

Proposals include installing 20,000 non-reflective solar panels in the ground, standing 2.5m high.

The colliery has been restored by landowners Harworth Estates over a number of years and is classified as Green Belt land. The lifespan of the farm is expected to be about 25 years. Completion of the Askern project took the capacity of colliery sites redeveloped by Anesco to 25MW.