The Project

EIA is the iterative process in which the assessment of environmental impacts is carried out in parallel with the development design process. We have used EIA as a tool to identify the potential effects Lime Down might have on the environment – benefits as well as negative impacts.  

The purpose of the EIA process is to make sure that where we identify any significant effects, we put in place measures to reduce any negative impacts, while also seeking to enhance positive effects.  

Our initial work identified a number of environmental considerations which are informed the development of our detailed design for Lime Down Solar Park.

EIA is broken down into many topics that we have assessed. These include:  

  • Ecology and biodiversity

  • Landscape and visual

  • Cultural heritage 

  • Transport and access 

  • Soils and agriculture  

  • Hydrology flood risk and drainage 

  • Socio-economics, tourism and recreation  

  • Noise and vibration 

  • Climate change 

  • Air quality 

  • Health 

  • Waste 

For each of these topics we assessed the impact of the project on them throughout its lifecycle from construction through to operation and decommissioning.  

Lime Down Solar Park is classified as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development. This requires us to assess the potential significant environmental impacts of our proposed development, as mandated by the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Measures to reduce effects

We have been getting to know the local environment through site visits, environmental surveys and desk-based information gathering. The results of this work has helped shape our project design.

Findings from our ongoing assessments are important in determining the potential impacts the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project could have on the landscape, environment and local communities.

The results of the EIA are set out in the Environmental Statement (ES) which has been submitted as part of our application for development consent.

Reducing or avoiding impacts is one of our top priorities. In developing our proposals for the Project, we have incorporated a range of measures to minimise its impacts on a range of different factors. A number of topic areas are listed below, with full details and further topic areas provided in the PEIR.

Stage 1: EIA Scoping  

  • On 16 July 2024 we submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). This is available on the PINS webpage for Lime Down Solar Park, linked here.

  • The purpose of EIA is to comprehensively identify and evaluate the likely significant effects of a proposed development on the environment so we can then determine measures to reduce or manage any likely significant adverse effects.  

  • Production of a Scoping Report is the initial stage of the EIA process. It sets out the proposed scope of the EIA, and our submission of this Report to PINS formed a formal request for a Scoping Opinion under Regulation 10(1) of the EIA Regulations.   

  • Our Scoping Report for Lime Down Solar Park included:  

    • A description of the proposed development, including its location and technical capacity 

    • A description of baseline information and further data to be obtained 

    • The methodologies we will use to assess environmental factors 

    • The proposed scope of the assessments we will carry out   

    • Potential impacts of the Project and associated mitigation 

    • An explanation of the likely significant effects of the development on the environment,  

    • The approach to cumulative assessment.  

  • Over a 42-day period, PINS consulted with various organisations, including the local authority, Statutory Environmental Bodies (SEBs) and other stakeholders with specific expertise and responsibilities related to environmental protection, to gather their views on the scope of the environmental assessment.  

  • PINS then compiled the feedback received and on 22 July 2024 published its ‘Scoping Opinion’. This sets out comments on our proposed approach to EIA,  and the topics we need to address in the Environmental Statement (ES) that will be submitted as part of our application for development consent.  

  • A copy of the Scoping Opinion PINS provided us with can be found on the PINS website here.

Stage 2: Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) 

  • We are required by the Planning Act 2008 to prepare a PEIR. 

  • A core technical document, the PEIR sets out the initial findings of the EIA and identifies the measures we are proposing to reduce, enhance and improve the effects our proposed development may have on the environment. 

  • The PEIR was presented at statutory consultation so technical stakeholders, local communities, individuals and interested parties can develop an informed view of the potential impacts Lime Down may have on the local environment and provide us with their views and feedback. 

  • You can view the PEIR via the Documents – Stage Two Consultation – Jan 2025 webpage linked here.

  • Since Stage Two, further design work and due diligence, ongoing consideration of feedback, and findings from the EIA, informed a series of localised changes relating to minor amendments to the development boundary area presented at PEIR.

  • The additional areas and associated activities including their nature, extent and duration were reviewed as part of the EIA. The additional areas do not change the likely significant effects of the EIA that are set out in the PEIR, the findings from which we sought views on for our Stage Two statutory Consultation.

  • We consulted on these localised changes in a targeted consultation which ran from Tuesday 03 June to Friday 11 July 2025. You can view the documents produced for this stage of consultation via the Targeted consultation - documents webpage (linked here).

Stage 3: Environmental Statement (ES) 

  • The results of the EIA are set out in the ES.

  • This has been prepared based on the Scoping Opinion and advances the content of the PEIR, incorporating feedback received during statutory consultation and the outcomes of our assessments undertaken. 

  • You can now view all our application documents, including the ES via the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) webpage for Lime Down Solar Park linked here.

  • The ES describes any changes to the project and the measures we are proposing to implement to reduce, improve or enhance the impacts of the project.

  • The ES Non-Technical provides an overview of the proposals for those less familiar with more technical language. You can access it via the PINS website, or by clicking here.