Higher Hawkerland Solar Farm

Creating a sustainable future

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

We have a long-term vision for the site which helps to address the UK’s energy security, 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 and constructed, 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 commitments

Downing not only develop but also deliver, own and operate renewable assets across the UK. Every project is carefully evaluated to understand how it will naturally integrate with local habitats, plants, animals and people. DRD's intention is to develop a long-term plan that will deliver biodiversity enhancements above the mandatory 10% level.

Biodiversity

We have the option of providing log piles and bird and bat boxes, supporting a wide range of wildlife, including insects, moss, fungi, small mammals, small birds and bats.

Ecology

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators will be provided with food sources from the planting of wildflowers. We will also install bee hotels within the site boundary, supporting pollination.

Community

We will communicate and work with local communities throughout the development process as this is the most important aspect of our projects.