Biodiversity benefits

Biodiversity and environmental enhancement have been central to the design of Castle Hills Solar Farm.

The proposals would deliver a quantifiable 67.25% increase in habitat units and a 17.4% net gain in hedgerow units. These enhancements include new species-rich grassland, native hedgerow planting, tree planting and habitat improvements designed to strengthen the local ecological framework. These measures would support wildlife, improve ecological connectivity and enhance the long-term resilience of local habitats.

One parcel of land west of the A4545 (Parcel 2) has been retained specifically for biodiversity enhancement, with no solar panels proposed in this area to ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of the adjacent Bickenhill Meadows SSSI.

Our commitment to the environment

We want to leave a positive ecological legacy across the site and are committed to protecting and enhancing the local landscape, supporting wildlife, and promoting sustainability. Here is how we plan to reach these goals:

Enhancing and preserving the landscape

  • Retention of existing hedgerows and mature trees wherever possible, filling in with native species where gaps exist to reinforce the historic field patterns of the Arden Warwickshire landscape.
  • Creation of approximately 2.36 km of new native double hedgerow planting along field boundaries and site edges to reinforce visual screening and integrate the development into the surrounding landscape while delivering a quantifiable 17.4% net gain in linear units.
  • Creation of targeted areas of native scrub and small-scale woodland planting, utilising non-fruiting, low-attractant species specifically selected to minimise wildlife hazards for Birmingham Airport by avoiding features that would attract large or flocking bird species.
  • Planting of roughly 18 new trees site-wide, using species that reflect the existing landscape character while ensuring they do not impact flight safety.

Supporting biodiversity

  • Creation of species-rich grassland across field margins and dedicated Biodiversity Enhancement Areas, to maximise foraging resources for invertebrates and birds.
  • Retention of existing hedgerows as wildlife corridors connecting habitats across and beyond the site.
  • A 30-metre buffer around identified badger setts, with no groundworks within this zone, complemented by the installation of dedicated mammal gates in security fencing to allow for the free movement of wildlife.
  • Dedicated habitat features including bird and bat boxes installed across the site.
  • All solar panels mounted to allow natural vegetation to establish beneath and between rows, supporting invertebrates and foraging species.
  • An experienced ecologist will monitor the site in years 1, 3, 5, and 10 to assess the effectiveness of measures and adapt management as needed over the project’s 40-year lifespan.

Sustainable land management

  • Reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers across the site, to support long-term soil recovery while the land is rested from intensive cultivation.
  • Low-intensity sheep grazing introduced beneath the panels where feasible, maintaining an active agricultural function and preventing rank grassland from establishing while maintaining the site’s pastoral character.
  • All land will be fully restored to agricultural use following decommissioning at the end of the temporary 40-year operational period.

Championing local sustainability

  • A dedicated parcel of land to the west of the A4545 retained entirely for biodiversity enhancement, with no solar development taking place there, creating a significant ecological buffer for local designated sites.
  • Ongoing engagement with the local community through the Community Liaison Group on environmental management and improvements throughout the life of the project.

Biodiversity enhancement areas

As part of our commitment to the environment, our proposals include carefully designed Biodiversity Enhancement Areas across the site designed to deliver a significant 67.25% net gain in habitat units. These areas are intended to deliver quantifiable ecological improvements – supporting a thriving and resilient local ecosystem, encouraging wildlife, and contributing to a healthier natural environment for the benefit of surrounding communities.

Enhancements will include the creation of approximately 38.79 hectares of species-rich neutral grassland, the planting of native double hedgerows providing a 17.4% net gain in linear units, and the planting of around 18 new trees. These areas will provide vital wildlife corridors complemented by dedicated mammal gates to allow the free movement of badgers, improve ecological connectivity, and contribute to the long-term health of local wildlife supported by the installation of bird and bat boxes.

Biodiversity enhancement areas have been identified through detailed ecological assessments and are designed to ensure they complement the surrounding landscape, respect nearby designations such as the Bickenhill Meadows SSSI, and provide ongoing benefits for species and habitats throughout the temporary 40-year operational life of the project and beyond.

Specifically, a dedicated field (Parcel 2) has been removed from the development footprint to serve solely as an enhancement zone to preserve and enhance the neighbouring SSSI.

Landscape proposals

New native hedgerow boundaries, including reinforced native double hedgerows, around 18 new trees and targeted areas of native scrub and small-scale woodland planting, are proposed throughout the site.

In line with airport safeguarding and bird strike assessments, the design specifically avoids large-scale woodland blocks and high-seed-yield species, utilizing non-fruiting, low-attractant vegetation to minimise wildlife hazards for Birmingham Airport.

These measures will help retain and enhance the existing landscape framework, reinforce the historic field patterns of the Arden Warwickshire landscape, and reinforce the rural character of the area throughout the project’s temporary 40-year lifespan.

The landscape proposals have been designed to align with the key aims of the Solihull Landscape Character Assessment, which highlights the importance of reinforcing the historic hedged field patterns of the Arden Warwickshire landscape, restoring native vegetation through a 17.4% net gain in linear hedgerow units, and enhancing ecological connectivity by delivering a connected Green Infrastructure network and a significant 67.25% net gain in habitat units.

The enhancements have been carefully designed to respect the site’s setting within the Green Belt, ensuring openness is preserved by siting the development near existing transport and energy infrastructure (such as the M42 and Birmingham Airport) which already influences the area’s character. These measures will contribute positively to landscape character and visual amenity through a landscape-led design that balances ecological benefits with airport safeguarding requirements throughout the project’s temporary 40-year lifespan.

Hedgerow and tree management

Existing hedgerows and mature trees will be retained wherever possible and enhanced through the ‘gapping-up’ of existing boundaries using new native species specifically selected to reinforce the historic field patterns of the Arden Warwickshire landscape.

These features, including approximately 2.36 km of new native double hedgerow planting, will help reinforce boundaries and contribute to visual screening of the site, especially along nearby footpaths and Public Rights of Way where buffers of at least 10 metres (increasing to 20 metres on key routes) will be maintained to ensure users do not feel constricted.

New Grassland Creation

Approximately 38.79 hectares of species-rich grassland will be established within field margins and dedicated Biodiversity Enhancement Areas, to deliver a significant 67.25% net gain in habitat units and to promote ecological diversity and create habitats for a wide range of wildlife.

Research indicates that establishing semi-natural grasslands, particularly through appropriate seed mixes and low-input management, can enhance biodiversity significantly- benefiting pollinators, birds, and small mammals.

Retention of existing vegetation

The proposals have been carefully designed to allow for the retention of existing vegetation, particularly mature hedgerows and trees.

Buffers of at least 10 metres on each side (increasing to 20 metres for PRoW M130) and extensive native planting will be introduced alongside key footpaths and Public Rights of Way to filter views and maintain an open, verdant aspect for walkers.

Monitoring and maintenance

An experienced ecologist will monitor the site over time, conducting surveys in years 1, 3, 5, and 10 as part of a robust Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) to ensure the effectiveness of our ecological measures and adapt management as needed.

Through these initiatives, Castle Hills Solar Farm will not only generate renewable energy but will also quantifiably enhance the surrounding natural environment. This approach will leave a positive ecological legacy on the local ecosystem and community.

Careful maintenance and management of the proposed trees, species-rich grassland, and hedgerows over the temporary period of 40 years that the solar farm would be in operation will ensure they continue to thrive before the site is returned to its previous agricultural condition.

Greenbelt

Castle Hills Solar Farm is located within the Green Belt to the northeast of Solihull – a landscape designation we fully respect and have carefully considered throughout the design process. The project has been thoughtfully developed to preserve the area’s openness and rural character, while delivering substantial public benefits including clean, renewable energy generation, enhanced biodiversity, and long-term environmental resilience.

Given that circa of 66% of Solihull’s administrative area lies within the Green Belt, opportunities to locate a scheme of this scale elsewhere are extremely limited. A robust Sequential Site Selection Report confirms this site is the only viable location within reach of a suitable grid connection. Crucially, technical assessments identify the site as “Grey Belt” land, as it performs poorly against key Green Belt purposes and is already influenced by surrounding transport and energy infrastructure.

A comprehensive site assessment accompanies the planning application, clearly demonstrating Very Special Circumstances and the right balance – avoiding any unacceptable impact on the fundamental purposes of the Green Belt, while helping to meet local and national sustainability goals through a temporary and fully reversible development, which ensures the land is returned to its original agricultural condition after its 40-year lifespan.