Neo Environmental were involved in various stages of the 49.9MW Mannington Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to planning and condition compliance.

The Energy Storage Facility is located in Greenbelt in Dorset and our planning team successfully argued a case for Very Special Circumstances (VSC) for the project. The VSC report concluded that the overall strategic performance and function of the remaining Green Belt would prevail, with the benefits of the Proposed Development considerably outweighing the minor adverse impacts identified.

Our team undertook and compiled various planning and environmental assessments and reports including ecology, landscape, archaeology & heritage, noise, arboriculture, traffic and transportation and hydrology (flood risk & drainage). As part of their fieldwork, our ecologists conducted bat surveys surveys in support of the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and also conducted a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA).

East Dorset Council provided an excellent service given the current circumstances relating to COVID-19; the planning application was consented with no pre-commencement conditions attached. We look forward to seeing the completed development in due course.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

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 are delighted to have started 2022 with an approval via a delegated decision for a 100MW co-located solar and battery storage project near Hull for its client Albanwise. Neo Environmental done all of the planning, public consultation and environmental work for this large project, including the design, ecology, archaeology (including a geophysical survey), noise, traffic and transport, landscape and visual, hydrology, glint and glare and land classification assessment. The project consists of approximately 100 thousand solar panels and 24 battery storage containers on a circa 90 ha site.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the various stages of a Proposed 155MW solar and battery storage Development near Athenry in Co. Galway. This included the initial feasibility studies and full planning for the project (105MW solar and 50MW battery). We undertook all elements including the pre-application process with the council, site visits, planning and environmental works (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was one of a number of sites for this client who we still work with on various projects across the UK and Ireland (100% successful consent rate). The project was consented in 2021. Neo Environmental also conducted the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) elements for the project.

Neo Environmental were commissioned to undertake a number of reports for a large mixed use development in Melrose, Scotland. The project involves an upgrade to the Newtown St Boswells’ auction mart, as well as the creation of retail facilities, a hotel, up to 150 houses and a new campus for Borders College As part of the project Neo Environmental helped produce the EIA Screening report before completing various environmental assessments including ecology, archaeology, landscape and visual and noise. The site was located directly adjacent a number of ecological designations including two Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Therefore a significant level of ecological assessment and consultation was required as part of the project. The Development was consented in March 2021.

Neo Environmental were commissioned to coordinate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for a planning permission in principle planning application submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for a proposed housing development at Riccarton Mains Village.

Members of staff attended the pre-application meetings. Following on from the receipt of the Screening Direction, notifying that an EIA was required, Neo Environmental produced the Scoping Report. Once the scope had been set, Neo Environmental coordinated the EIA process and produced a number of the Environmental Statement chapters, including the Ecological Impact Assessment, Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Assessment, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and Noise Impact Assessment.

Neo Environmental Ltd were involved in various stages of the 15MW Trinity Hall Solar Farm in Central Bedfordshire from initial constraint analysis and site suitability assessment to on- site surveys and post submission support works.

The Solar Farm is located in Greenbelt in Central Bedfordshire. A case for Very Special Circumstances (VSC) was made and concluded that the overall strategic performance and function of the remaining Green Belt would prevail, with the benefits of the Proposed Development considerably outweighing the minor adverse impacts identified.

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.

A lovely sunny day down at the Warwick office where the team are doing noise assessments for new housing development.

Neo Environmental are currently undertaking a Noise Impact Assessment for a new dwelling located near the M74 in Glasgow. The assessment includes a roadside noise assessment which was conducted in accordance with the guidance found in the Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN) document.
The contract involved liaising with TranServ who manage and maintain the trunk road network to allow the assessment to be conducted safely.

Read more on our Noise Impact services here.