The Proposed Ditcheat Solar Paddock
Longmans of Snagg Farm and Barbers have been exploring the potential for a local solar paddock to generate renewable electricity for Barbers' Maryland Farm Dairy, cutting the dairy’s carbon emissions while reducing its energy costs and supporting the local environment
The proposed solar paddock is part of a wider plan to dedicate lower grade land at Snagg Farm to supporting wildlife and biodiversity while contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
In addition the solar paddock will directly benefit the local community in a number of ways including offering local people the opportunity to invest in the project and a planned community fund.
The core ambition is to take Snagg Farm's poorest land and use it for a combination of renewable energy generation and boosting local wildlife and landscapes while maintaining an element of farm production - so balancing the pressing need for renewable energy while supporting our wildlife and still producing food.
The land to be used borders Barbers' farmland and is only a short distance from Ditcheat. A cable will be laid to take sustainable energy directly from the solar paddock to Barbers' Dairy.
Both the Longman and Barber families have lived and farmed in and around Ditcheat for generations, and are keen that the solar paddock benefits the village and wider local community.
As the project develops there will be regular engagement with the local community, with the aim that the solar paddock fits as fully as possible with the village and with village life.
There are already plans to support local activities and initiatives through a community fund, and for a new footpath to provide public access to the flower meadow around the solar paddock, and beyond linking into the wider local footpath network. Other ways that the solar paddock can work with the village will be explored as the project progresses.
If you have any questions or comments about the solar paddock please drop an email to snaggfarm@btinternet.com.
Look out for updates on the progress of the solar paddock below:
Project progress Updates
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July '23 - work is continuing with project partners to submit a preliminary planning application with the aim to submit in the latter part of August - Council feedback from this will inform what is required for the full planning application.
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November '23 - Council planners have now provided initial feedback on the proposed solar paddock, which has so far been broadly positive. They have also confirmed the information and reports required for the full planning application, and the work to bring all of this together now continues. The aim is to submit the full planning application at the earliest opportunity, which is expected to be around mid 2024.
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June '24 - The process of piecing together the full planning application is now very nearly completed with the aim to submit it to SCC during July. If there are any questions or concerns in relation to this, or any other element of the project please do let us know.
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August '24 - The full planning application has now been submitted with the details and related documents accessible via the Somerset Planning Portal - if you have any questions or queries, please don't hesitate to contact us via the Snagg Farm email address linked above. The planning application ref is 2024/1439/FUL.
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December '24 - Planning consent granted.