Vogt solar UK has put forward plans for  a 15MHp solar farm at Upper Stoneham Farm, between Lewes and Ringmer. The site, which is said to be relatively low-quality (level 2 or 3) agricultural land, is currently used for grazing.

The scheme would produce an estimated 14MHw of electricity a year, about half the amount used in Lewes homes. There would be c. 60,000–75,000 panels, depending on their size, and the scheme would cover about 24ha between the A26 and the B2192.

Sheep are known to be comfortable about sharing their space with solar field arrays, so the site would be maintained and enhanced as grazing land that could be returned to agricultural purposes at the end of the 25-year life of the panels. A nearby sub-station would provide the connection to the National Grid.

Two public consultation meetings will be held, at Lewes Town Hall on Monday 29th April, 3.00–8.00pm, and at Ringmer Village Hall  on Wednesday 8th May, also from 3.00–8,.00pm. Views expressed at these meetings will  inform a planning application to be submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). More…