TC Fines Consultancy project
Horstead, Norfolk County

The ambition

TC Fines & Sons, a family-owned business situated in the quaint village of Horstead near Norwich, specialises in the processing and preparation of meat and poultry. Serving a nationwide clientele, including educational institutions, it also operates a butcher’s shop offering a variety of fresh meat products.

When faced with a substantial 400% increase in electricity prices, TC Fines & Sons initiated a critical reassessment of their operational strategies to mitigate the impact of unpredictable price hikes. In search of a viable solution, they turned to solar power, aiming not only to control the escalating electricity and operational costs but also to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

At the time of the installation project, the company, a significant local employer, had a workforce of 40-60 employees. By integrating renewable energy into their operations, it would strengthen their economic resilience, reduce operational expenses and provide them with an opportunity to adopt a comprehensive approach to managing energy costs. Equally important, it would allow TC Fines to maintain stable product pricing for their clients, eliminating the need for frequent increases.

The solution

The proposed 462kWp ground solar array at the northern grassland area used for cattle grazing prompted the need for a comprehensive planning application to be submitted to South Norfolk and Broadland District Council for approval by departments within the council and comments from neighbouring residents. This process not only involved the installation of the solar array but also included the removal of 30 poplar trees and a mature willow tree, crucial to mitigate significant shading on the site. Steps were taken to implement a replacement tree planting strategy to address the removal of the trees.

Factors contributing to the proposal's complexities included the site's proximity to the River Bure in Flood Zone 2 which required several assessments to be undertaken. The Flood Risk Assessment evaluated and addressed potential flooding risks, with guidance on design and mitigation measures for resilience against flood-related challenges. Additionally, an Arboricultural Statement advised on the impact of the proposed development on trees, providing recommendations for their protection or replacement. The Sequential and Exceptions Test assessed the proposed development site's suitability by considering alternative locations and allowing exceptions under certain conditions if no better alternative exists.

The removal of the surrounding trees close to the water required a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, a preliminary assessment that evaluates the potential ecological value of a site, providing an initial overview of its biodiversity and habitats for various planning applications and surveys. This triggered the need for a Phase 2 ecology survey report, an in-depth investigation conducted after a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal to assess specific ecological features and potential impacts of a development on the site for Otter and Water Vole, eDNA for Great Crested Newt and Ground Level Tree Assessment for Bats. Ecology surveys, however, are seasonal, and the time of year at which the survey can be carried out is dependent on the species in question, which ultimately delayed the approval of the planning application by the council's ecology department by several months.

Working within eight meters of the bank of the River Bure required obtaining an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency, an official approval permitting specific activities while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and imposing conditions for environmental protection. Additionally, Land Drainage Consent, an official approval from regulatory authorities, was secured due to working within nine meters of the Norfolk Drainage Board's maintained watercourse known as 'Horstead Mill to Mayton Bridges', to allow for specific activities related to land drainage to be carried out in compliance with regulations and under specified conditions.

The site's visibility from the River Bure and proximity to the Norfolk Broads National Park added an additional layer of complexity. Addressing the Heritage and Design officer's concerns about visibility, the solar array had to be screened to approve the proposal. Due to the constrained area of the site, finding a solution for screening the array without compromising the basic functioning of the system by shading the solar panels proved incredibly challenging.

The recommendations from each of the different technical surveys and the conditions associated with the Environmental Permit and Land Drainage Consent had to be carefully considered within the final design of the solar array to ensure we were complying with all conditions. This included a 5m buffer from the River Bure to the north and east and from the ditch to the west for ecological protection, 7m spacing between each row of PV modules to allow sufficient light to reach the grass in between and beneath the panels, mixed species native hedgerow to be planted around the perimeter of the array to protect views from and the setting of the River Bure, replacement tree planting as mitigation for the removal of the 30 poplar trees (which would not exceed 10m in height) to maintain the wildlife corridor, 1m x 1m x 1m log piles to be constructed using felled wood for wildlife habitats and a 0.874m clearance between panels and lowest ground level for flood risk mitigation.

462.84kWp

Total installed capacity

812

Solar panels installed

7x

Inverters installed

“Engaging with RenEnergy’s Consultancy team at the early stages helps to de-risk your project. We undertake technical feasibility studies, planning and grid applications to make sure that your project is fully de-risked. This ensures that when you come to the tender stage or EPC contract stage that all risks have been removed.”

Fiona Keysell, Consultancy Director, RenEnergy

“Our commitment is clear: we work hand-in-hand with our clients, ensuring they get the best solution tailored to their needs while adhering to local rules and regulations. We believe in a partnership that delivers not just energy, but a sustainable and compliant power solution.”

Damian Baker, Managing Director, RenEnergy

Consultancy

Design and installation

5m buffer from River Bure to north and east, and from ditch to west for ecological protection
7m spacing between each row of PV modules for sufficient light to reach in between and beneath panels
Mixed species native hedgerow planted around perimeter of array to protect views from, and setting of, the River Bure
Replacement tree planting as mitigation for removal of 30 poplar trees (which would not exceed 10m in height) to maintain wildlife corridor
1m x 1m x 1m log piles constructed using felled wood for wildlife habitats
0.874m clearance between panels and lowest ground level for flood risk mitigation

Technical Surveys and Permits

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, including Phase 2 ecology surveys:
- Otter and Water Vole report
- eDNA survey for Great Crested Newt
- Ground Level Tree Assessment for Bats
Arboricultural Statement
Flood Risk Assessment
Sequential and Exceptions Test
Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency
Land Drainage Consent from the Drainage Board

The benefits

Generate electricity on-site and reducing reliance on traditional, non-renewable energy
Significant cost-savings by reducing 33% of their electricity demand per year
Alignment with environmental and regulatory standards, mitigating potential risks and ensuring compliance
Fully compliant and sustainable solution

CO2

Estimated annual saving of 103,054kg CO2 emissions, the equivalent to a car driving around the world approximately 3,733 times