ILOS New Energy UK Ltd., a London-based developer, has submitted initial proposals to build a substantial solar farm on land between Rodmore Farm and the Evercreech Playing Fields on Pecking Mill Road, located at the southern end of the Somerset village. If approved, this solar facility could generate enough electricity to power up to 1,600 homes in the region.
The proposed site would be accessed via Rodmore Road, using the existing entrance to Rodmore Farm. The solar panels would cover a single field situated just south of the local waste water treatment plant operated by Wessex Water. The farm is designed to export up to 5.4MW of renewable energy, providing a significant boost to the area’s clean power supply.
Several public footpaths running through the site will be maintained, with potential improvements considered by Evercreech Parish Council or Somerset Council’s rights of way team. To ensure minimal visual impact, comprehensive landscaping plans will be implemented around the farm’s perimeter.
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The solar farm is expected to operate for 40 years, with the possibility of extending its lifespan. At the end of this period, all infrastructure including panels and equipment will be removed, and the land restored to its original condition.
ILOS representatives emphasize that the project will include a strong focus on enhancing local biodiversity. Proposed measures include installing barn owl and bird nesting boxes, creating beehives, building log piles, and constructing hibernacula such as buried rubble piles to support reptiles, amphibians, and insect life. Additionally, the land between and beneath the panels may be used for seasonal grazing, promoting both ecological diversity and agricultural use. Surrounding vegetation will be carefully managed to maintain green corridors that support wildlife.
A nearby solar farm, the Pylle installation located within a mile of the site on Easton Lane, has been operational since its approval by Mendip District Council in January 2015. With the district council now replaced by Somerset Council as of April 2023, the new proposal is awaiting a decision expected in early spring. Should the screening request be approved, ILOS plans to submit more detailed proposals by summer.