RESIDENTS are urging a company behind new solar farm plans to work with them to 'bring the best outcome for nature'. 

RWE Renewables UK Ltd has announced plans to build the solar farm on two parcels of land - one in Pamber End and the second just north of Sherborne St John, off Aldermaston Road.

But it is understood that there is a third small piece of land in the middle, next to Morgaston Road, in the proposals.

The scheme aims to generate enough electricity to power approximately 16,000 homes.

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The company claims the project would not only provide much-needed renewable energy but also deliver significant benefits to the local community, including enhancements to green infrastructure, the creation of new public areas, and community funding initiatives.

The company said in its newsletter that one of the key environmental impacts of the project is the displacement of over 1,100,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.

The project also promises a considerable biodiversity net gain of at least 50 per cent, which is five times the national requirement. RWE said it will be achieved through the planting of wildflower meadows, and the installation of nesting boxes for birds and bee hotels.

RWE also plans to establish a community benefit fund of approximately £250,000. This fund is intended to support local sustainable initiatives, such as installing rooftop solar panels on community buildings.

Residents believe there are still more initiatives that the company could take to help improve nature. They are now calling RWE to work with the residents to bring "meaningful benefits" to the environment.

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Kevin Chatburn, co-chair of Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection and a borough councillor, said there will be impacts on the landscape, the historic assets, and most predominantly on farmland and food production.

"I've been working with people out in the area about how it could be used to actually increase the nature recovery," he said.

"So there are some thoughts that if it needs to go ahead for energy, then it ought to go ahead with a lot of design in it to help nature recovery."

A group of local residents have arranged a meeting with RWE next week to discuss the plans.

Paul Sterry, a naturalist, author and conservationist, who has known the Little London area for more than six decades, said he would like to work with the developer to ensure the best outcome for nature.

"I have lived next the field proposed as the Northern Parcel of RWE’s Aldermaston Road Solar Park for the past 26 years," Mr Sterry said.

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"Consequently, I know the area’s natural history intimately, and have written about the environmental decline in the local area and nature’s ability to recover if given the chance in my recent book The Biodiversity Gardener.

"Prompted by ecological degradation going on all around me, my garden has become a Noah’s Ark of biodiversity. My meadow, formerly a lawn, provides a shining example of what Northern Parcel land could and should aspire to become.

"I would welcome the opportunity to work with, rather than against, the developer RWE to ensure the best outcome for nature and meaningful benefits to the environment. Let’s see how things progress."

RWE claims to be one of the UK’s largest power providers, supplying around 15 per cent of the country's electricity.

A spokesperson for RWE said: “As part of our engagement with the local community we have met with many residents and councillors, and look forward to our meeting next week with Cllr Chatburn, Paul Sterry and other key stakeholders.

"We are grateful for the keen collaborative interest that has been shown in this project, which is extremely valued. It is clear that the climate emergency and the ecological crisis are inextricably linked and should be tackled together. Residents can still provide feedback on our project website until August 21, after which we will fully review all comments and consider them against our proposals.”