EIA Topics

Environmental Impact Assessment Topics

Ecology and Biodiversity

Detailed survey work will be carried out to understand where and what wildlife is currently found across the site so we can identify the potential impacts of our proposals on local species, as well as ways we can protect, promote and enhance wildlife habitats in our plans. These will include:

Breeding bird surveys
Bat surveys
Badger surveys
Great Crested Newt Surveys
Water vole and otter surveys

Landscape and visual

A full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment will be produced so we can identify any potential visual impacts associated with the development we’re proposing and put in place appropriate measures to reduce them. For example, views of equipment could be screened by enhancing existing hedgerows and planting new ones.

Archaeology and cultural heritage

We recognise the cultural and historical importance of this area of Bassetlaw, and are carrying out studies to fully understand the significance of heritage assets in the surrounding area, such as Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Scheduled Monuments.

We have undertaken site visits and desk-based assessment to understand the heritage value of the site, and will carry out detailed ground investigation and archaeological surveys to ensure that any assets are protected and avoided during the construction phase of the project. We will also be undertaking field walking and a geo-physical survey of the entire project area to get a better understanding of the potential for buried archaeology.

Transport and access

We are evaluating traffic and access considerations, and have undertaken initial site visits to identify the existing access points into the Jubilee Energy Hub. We will assess the potential impact of our proposals on traffic, and produce a Construction Traffic Management Plan to outline how we will minimise impact on local traffic during construction and operation.

Soils and agriculture

We will carry out surveys of the agricultural land within the site to identify its agricultural value, and seek to locate infrastructure on land of the lowest agricultural value. A Site Selection report included in our application for development consent will explain how the areas of land proposed for the Jubilee Energy Hub were identified and selected.

Hydrology, flood risk and drainage

Emerging flood risk findings from initial research we have carried out indicate that the majority of the project area is located within Flood Zone 1 which is classified as having a ‘low’ risk to flooding. Limited parts of the Jubilee Energy Hub are located within Flood Zones 2 and 3, so we will prepare a Flood Risk Assessment in line with the requirements of National Policy Statement for Energy guidance.

Additionally, we will conduct a drainage assessment that describes baseline land drainage conditions and existing site runoff rates, also producing a concept strategy for managing site runoff during the operational lifetime of the development, inclusive of resilience to climate change.

Socio-economics, tourism and recreation

We recognise the need to deliver the Jubilee Energy Hub sensitively and make sure we have considered local communities in designing the Scheme. We are therefore seeking to design the project in a way which will maintain amenity and provide continued access to recreational benefits in the local area.

We are committed to keeping Public Rights of Way in place and open to the public. There may be temporary diversions during the construction period for safety reasons.

Noise and vibration

We will carry out baseline noise monitoring at those residential properties closest to the site area to understand the noise levels currently experienced.

Solar developments do not tend to produce a significant amount of noise during operation. However, we will model noise which could arise from the electrical transformers across the site and the cooling equipment associated with the battery storage facility, which has potential to be a source of noise from the development. This is so we can assess any potential impact at the nearest properties and then determine appropriate mitigation to include as part of the design.

Biodiversity net gain

A well-managed solar farm can be a nature reserve – helping boost and protect wildlife and extend biodiversity. As the panels are set on posts with minimal disturbance to the ground, much of the land is available to support new plants and animal life.

From November 2025, there will be a legal requirement for developers of NSIP projects to show their projects will boost biodiversity by a minimum 10 per cent. This means our plans need to ensure that local wildlife habitats are in a measurably better state than before. The Jubilee Energy Hub could boost local biodiversity through means such as establishing wildflower areas that provide habitats for pollinators and birds, promoting wetland habitats to reduce flood risk and support aquatic and avian life, and restoring hedgerows and native species.

To design Jubilee Energy Hub in a way that boosts and enhances local wildlife by delivering a net gain in biodiversity, specific examples of benefits we are looking at delivering are listed below:

Sowing land between and under the arrays as grassland and meadow management with a mix of some areas being grazed

Filling gaps in existing hedgerows with additional native species to increase diversity

Managing hedgerows to enable wildlife to benefit from them year-round

Maintaining appropriate vegetated buffers with native planting

Installing bird nest and bat boxes on trees to provide opportunities for a range of local species

The creation of new woodland blocks and belts

New tree planting where appropriate

Connecting to the Grid

As a separate development, the National Grid have proposed to build a new 275kV substation near Blyth in Nottinghamshire, which will connect to the existing overhead 275kV pylon lines.

The Jubilee Energy Hub intends to connect into this new substation.