The project

Helping to resolve the UK’s energy crisis and accelerating the transition to Net Zero through a new renewable energy development in the Melton Mowbray area.

Downing is developing a new 42 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) with collocate battery storage project in the Melton Mowbray area, East Midlands.

Freeby Lane Green Energy Park will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 10,000 homes per year. The project will make a direct contribution to the UK’s Net Zero goals. Transitioning to a renewable energy generation system should mean cheaper energy bills for the U.K. consumer, and solar power is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy.

Site layout

Our initial site plans are outlined below. A campaign of further ecological, environmental and heritage surveys will help shape the initial design.

Project timeline

Creating a sustainable future

As well as being renewable and low carbon, solar power is one of the cheapest forms of energy for the U.K. A fivefold increase in installed solar capacity is needed by 2050 according to the Government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) and projects such as Freeby Lane Green Energy Park will help the U.K. accelerate the transition to Net Zero.

We have a long-term vision for Freeby Lane Green Energy Park which helps to address the UK’s energy crisis, provides a substantial biodiversity net gain and supports farmers, local agriculture and the local community.

Forming a strong relationship with the community that we serve is important to us and we are continually exploring ways we can better support local initiatives. We value your feedback and try to reflect it in the way the project is designed, like the inclusion of permissive pathways and the retention and creation of wildlife habitats. If you do have any thoughts on how we can improve our proposals, please do get in touch here.

Our commitment

We carefully evaluate the impact our developments will have on local habitats, plants and animals to develop a long-term plan. For Freeby Lane Green Energy Park that delivers at least 10% biodiversity than before the site is installed.

We install Bee Hotels that provide one of the most recognisable ecosystem services, pollination, which is what makes food production possible. Log piles are another way we support a wide range of wildlife, including moss, fungi, insects and small mammals.

Planting wildflowers provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food sources. Installing bird and bat boxes and encouraging sheep to help graze the land are other ways we promote positive biodiversity.

Community engagement is the most important aspect of our projects. By communicating and working with local communities throughout the whole development process.

Community benefits

Downing is committed to making a positive contribution in your local community:

One-off community payment

A further £1,000/MW one-off payment when construction starts to be used by each Parish Council to support local community projects.