Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE), a UK-headquartered international developer of utility scale solar and battery storage projects, has submitted into appeal the Stream 6 MW project near Upleadon in the Forest of Dean.

The proposed ground-mounted scheme, known as Stream Solar, would generate enough power for around 2,800 homes each year which is the equivalent of displacing over 1,900 tonnes of CO2e. It was refused by Forest of Dean’s planning committee against the advice of its planning officers, which led to PACE deciding to submit an appeal to the Secretary of State. A decision is expected within months.

Alex Ross, Development Director of Pathfinder Clean Energy said: “PACE agrees with the planning officers that Stream is a great site for a solar farm and we are confident that the appeal will gain the support of the Planning Inspector in the next few months.  This project has been in development for a considerable time as we carefully considered the location and design to bring forward the best project we can. PV panels have an extremely light footprint within the fields they occupy, leaving many opportunities to improve biodiversity through active management for ecological and wildlife enhancements”.

“The solar farm will increase the wildlife habitat by creating new meadows, increasing hedgerows and native species planting, and temporarily replacing arable land with meadow and grazing. No agricultural land will be lost and sheep can graze under and around the solar panels during operation.”.

Rob Denman, Managing Director, also added, ‘Although one of our smaller sites we are committed to developing projects that fit with the local environment and consider our proposals balance the local requirements of this site. We look forward to engaging with the appeal process and coming to a positive outcome’.