Ecoenergy to Submit Amended Solar Farm Proposal Near Tourism Hotspot

Ecoenergy is set to submit revised plans for the Exton Energy solar farm in Rutland County, England. Originally proposed in 2022 as an 81-hectare site, the project has been amended to a smaller 67-hectare area following community feedback and additional assessments. The new site will feature a ‘no-development buffer’ and increased planting to mitigate visual impact concerns.

Nick Hamilton, owner of nearby Barnsdale Gardens, had raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on tourism. In response, Ecoenergy has made several changes, including removing battery storage units and reducing the site’s western boundary to create an ecosystem buffer. The updated plan also includes new biodiversity initiatives like bat boxes and wildflower planting.

Ecoenergy will submit the revised application to Rutland County Council this summer, and construction could begin as early as next year or by 2026 if approved. The solar farm is expected to have a capacity of up to 49.9 megawatts, enough to power 14,400 homes annually.

A community webinar scheduled for July 2 will provide further details and allow residents to ask questions. Interested parties can register on the Exton Energy website.

Design Core Detroit Awards $115,000 for Sustainable Community Projects

Design Core Detroit, a UNESCO City of Design, has awarded $115,000 in grants to seven community-led projects focused on land use and sustainability. Recipients include:

  • Bailey Park Neighborhood Development Corporation: Received $5,000 to convert vacant lots into a native meadow with solar panels and wind turbines.
  • JOY Project: Developing a biofueled community kitchen with a water filtration system.
  • Solar Party Detroit: Transforming part of an auto shop into a solar-powered DJ booth.
  • Fennigan’s Farms: Creating disaster relief stations using solar power and rainwater catch basins.
  • McDougall-Hunt Social Off-grid Urban Landscape: Establishing a native meadow and renewable energy installations.
  • Canfield Consortium: Building a community-owned coffee shop and meeting space.
  • Motor City Self Auto Repair: Providing a DIY auto repair space with shared tools and resources.

Each group participated in workshops to strategize and collaborate on their projects. The initiatives will be showcased during Detroit’s Month of Design in September.

New Forest Solar Farm Rejected by National Park Authority

A proposal to build a 9.85-hectare solar farm in the New Forest, UK, by Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd has been rejected. The plan involved installing over 12,000 solar panels to generate 6MW of renewable energy, enough to power 2,450 homes annually. The National Park Authority cited concerns over the impact on wildlife and habitat and the project’s scale as reasons for the refusal. The authority is more supportive of smaller-scale renewable energy projects within the park.

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