The Mallard Pass Solar Farm Order 2024

SCHEDULE 1 AUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT

Article 2 1 In this Schedule— “existing substation” means the existing substation at Ryhall Substation, Uffington Lane, Essendine, Stamford, PE9 4QD, owned and operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc; “inverter” means electrical equipment required to convert direct current power to alternating current which will either be a string inverter attached to a mounting structure or a central container inverter; “mounting structure” means a frame or rack made of galvanised steel, anodised aluminium or other material designed to support the solar modules and will either provide for a fixed south facing orientation or single access tracking and mounted on piles driven into the ground or pillars fixed to a concrete foundation; “PV module” means a solar photovoltaic panel or module designed to convert solar irradiance to electrical energy; “solar station” means a station comprising centralised inverters, transformers and switch gear with each component for each solar station either— located outside within a cabinet, on a concrete foundation or placed on metal skids for each of the inverters and transformers and switch gear; or housed together within a container sitting on a concrete foundation; “substation” means a substation containing electrical equipment required to switch, transform, convert electricity and provide reactive power compensation; “switch gear” means a combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses or circuit breakers used to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment; and “transformer” means a structure serving to transform electricity to a higher voltage which will either be a string transformer or a central container transformer. Authorised development 2 In the District of South Kesteven and in the County of Rutland a nationally significant infrastructure project as defined in sections 14 and 15 of the 2008 Act and associated development under section 115(1)(b) of the 2008 Act. The nationally significant infrastructure project comprises the following works— Work No. 1— a ground mounted solar photovoltaic generating station with a gross electrical output capacity of over 50 megawatts including— PV modules fitted to mounting structures; inverters; transformers; switch gear; and electrical cables. The associated development within the meaning of section 115(2) of the 2008 Act includes — Work No. 2— works in connection with an onsite substation including— substation, switch room buildings and ancillary equipment including reactive power units; control building housing offices, storage, welfare facilities, parking areas and access; workshop, store and ancillary structures; monitoring and control systems for this Work No. 2 and Work No. 1 housed within the control building in Work No. 2(b) or located separately in their own containers or control rooms; and harmonic filters. Work No. 3— works to lay high voltage electrical cables, access and temporary construction compound laydown areas for the electrical cables, to connect to the existing Ryhall substation including— Work No. 3A – works to lay electrical cables including 400 kilovolt cable connecting Work No. 2 to the existing substation; and Work No. 3B – temporary construction compound laydown areas for the purposes of Work No. 3A. Work No. 4— works to lay electrical cables including electrical cables connecting Work No. 1 to Work No. 2. Work No. 5— temporary construction and decommissioning compound and laydown areas including— areas of hardstanding; HGV, vehicle and cycle parking; site and welfare offices, canteens and workshops; area to store materials and equipment; storage and waste skips; area for download and turning; security infrastructure, including cameras, perimeter fencing and lighting; site drainage and waste management infrastructure (including sewerage); and electricity, water and telecommunications connections. Work No. 6— works to facilitate access to Work Nos. 1 to 5 including— creation of accesses from the public highway; creation of visibility splays; removal of vegetation; works to widen and surface the streets; and making and maintaining passing places. Work No. 7— works to create, enhance and maintain green infrastructure, including— landscape and biodiversity mitigation and enhancement areas; habitat creation and management, including earthworks, landscaping, means of enclosure, and the laying and construction of drainage infrastructure; and laying down of permissive paths, signage and information boards. In connection with and in addition to Work Nos. 1 to 7 further associated development within the Order limits comprising such other works or operations as may be necessary or expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the authorised development and insofar as they do not give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects from those assessed in the environmental statement, including— fencing, gates, boundary treatments and other means of enclosure; bunds, embankments, trenching and swales; works, improvements or extensions to the existing drainage and irrigation system and works to alter the position and extent of such irrigation system; irrigation infrastructure, surface water drainage systems, runoff outfalls, SuDs Ponds, storm water attenuation systems including storage basins, oil water separators, including channelling and culverting and works to existing drainage networks; electrical, gas, water, foul water drainage and telecommunications infrastructure connections, diversions and works to, and works to alter the position of, such services and utilities connections; works to alter the course of, or otherwise interfere with, non-navigable rivers, streams or watercourses; works for the provision of security and monitoring measures such as CCTV columns, lighting columns and lighting, cameras, lightning protection masts, weather stations, storage containers, communication infrastructure, and perimeter fencing; improvement, maintenance, repair and use of existing streets, private tracks and access roads; laying down, maintenance and repair of new internal access tracks, ramps, means of access, cycle routes and roads, signage and information boards; temporary footpath diversions; landscaping; temporary storage of materials prior to installation; site establishments and preparation works including site clearance (including vegetation removal, demolition of existing buildings and structures); earthworks (including soil stripping and storage and site levelling) and excavations; the alteration of the position of services and utilities; and works for the protection of buildings and land; and tunnelling, boring and drilling works.