Neo Environmental were commissioned to coordinate and undertake the full suite of environmental assessments required to accompany a planning application for a large-scale solar farm within South Meath. The substantial development covers an area of circa 130ha and required detailed assessments.

from an early stage in the proposed development, this included input into the EIA screening report and the public exhibition. The planning application and environmental assessments were submitted to Meath County Council and received approval in August 2018. Neo Environmental also completed a full geophysical survey and archaeology testing for the project on behalf of Lightsource BP. We have also completed the condition compliance for the construction stage of the project.

Neo Environmental were involved in various stages of the 42MW Solar Farm from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to planning and post submission support works.

As part of the planning work Neo environmental worked with the Applicant, Renewable Energy Systems (RES), to design an appropriate scheme which is well screened, with very limited impacts on public amenity and the environment. The project went through a number of design iterations in order to ensure the development fit sympathetically and congruously within the local environment. Areas of flood risk and priority habitat were avoided to reduce potential adverse impacts.

Our planning and environmental team undertook and compiled a number of assessments and reports in order to achieve consent for Devons largest solar development. These included an Ecological Assessment (EcA), Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVA), Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (CHIA), Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (OCEMP) and Arboricultural Impact Assessment. A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment was also undertaken which highlighted a 91.18% gain in area habitat units; this gain well exceeds the 10% requirement that is expected to become law in the near future.

The project attracted a lot of media attention, however following a significant amount of public engagement, the Proposed Development was approved at committee on the 4^th of November 2021 with members voting 5-4 in favour.

We look forward to seeing the completed development in due course.

Outline of Project:
Lark Energy gained planning consent for a 2MW energy from waste development located at the Avondale Landfill site in Falkirk Council. The proposal includes an extension of the existing CHP Plant to form a Pellet Production Plant and Gasification Plant contained within two new, adjoining buildings. The waste from the existing recycling facility will be transported to the proposed development site, this waste will be converted into pellets which will be utilised for electricity generation to be used onsite. Once operational the proposed development will result in a reduced volume of waste being transferred to the existing landfill site.
Neo Environmental’s Involvement
Neo Environmental produced the Ecological Appraisal, Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Assessment, Transport Statement and the Flood Risk Assessment required to support the planning application.

The main constraint to the proposed development was the presence of great crested newt (GCN) which are known to be present within the Avondale Quarry. During the extended phase 1 habitat survey, habitats suitable of supporting GCN were identified. A GCN Habitat Suitability Index survey was undertaken, covering all ponds within 500m of the proposed development site. Although it was considered unlikely that the proposed development would impact upon GCN, a precautionary approach was adopted, with a Species Protection Plan developed in consultation with SNH. This Species Protection Plan identified suitable mitigation and compensation measures to be implemented throughout the construction phase, including the exclusion of GCN with fencing and the adoption of reasonable avoidance measures.

Neo Environmental produced the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for a 5* holiday cottages development in Tweed in the Scottish Borders in conjunction with Ferguson Planning. The proposal has been designed to fit seamlessly into the hills and provides fantastic elevated views over the surrounding countryside. The development has been subtly designed by SDA Architecture and will be constructed using local natural materials to reduce any potential visual impacts.
Neo Environmental also undertook the LVIA, Heritage assessment, ecological assessment (including bat surveys) and arboricultural surveys for a 12 house holiday cottages development at Taychreggan. Historic Scotland originally objected to the development, but the production of the HIA by Neo Environmental led to the consultee removing this.