Upland Solar
Upland Solar is a proposed solar energy development located between Thornwood Common and Epping Upland. Spanning around 96 hectares (237 acres), the project aims to generate up to 49.9 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable electricity—enough to power thousands of homes.
The site, currently in arable agricultural use, is split into two distinct parcels (a northern parcel and a southern parcel) positioned on either side of Upland Road.
Developed by Low Carbon, Upland Solar forms part of our mission to accelerate the UK's transition to net zero. At Low Carbon, we develop, build, own and operate large-scale renewable energy projects that contribute to a sustainable and resilient energy system. Our commitment is to protect the planet for future generations by investing in home-grown clean energy that tackles climate change head-on.
Welcome to
Upland Solar
We are proposing the development of Upland Solar, a solar photovoltaic (PV) project that includes the installation of solar panels and the necessary infrastructure to connect the site to the local electricity grid.
The solar farm will support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system, helping to meet the country’s energy needs and contributing to the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Upland Solar is planned to operate for a period of 40 years. At the end of this period, the solar panels and associated infrastructure will be decommissioned and removed from the site. Wherever possible, components will be recycled or repurposed.
We are committed to keeping the local community informed and engaged throughout the development of this project. Your feedback is important to us and will help shape the final design. You can find more information and submit your comments via our project website.
Site Location
The site
The project is situated on land between Thornwood Common and Epping Upland and extends to approximately 96 hectares hectares (237 acres).
Point of connection
Low Carbon has received and accepted a grid offer with a Point of Connection (POC) at Epping Substation, which is located approximately 1.2km to the south east of the site. We are proposing that an underground cable route, of approximately 3.1km in length, installed along public highways.
Biodiversity
In addition to having solar panels on the site, the proposal also includes biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures.
Sheep grazing
Sheep may also be grazed underneath the solar panels once operational, thereby offering dual use for the land.
Positive impacts
Across our UK-wide portfolio of renewable energy projects, we have championed biodiversity as a critical milestone on the journey towards a low-carbon future.
Across all our solar parks we work with landowners and developers to implement comprehensive land and biodiversity management programmes. Each aligns with the conditions and circumstances unique to its site. Yet while we are pledged to protecting existing flora and fauna, most parks benefit still more from the introduction of extensive new planting and husbandry measures.
As sites mature, ongoing development will realise an increasing diversity of habitats and species: from meadows, hedgerows, wildflowers and woodland to sheep, bees, birds, bats, reptiles and invertebrates.
Biodiversity
It is important that the Long Barrow Solar site delivers a biodiversity net gain, helping to protect and enhance both existing and new habitats. By moving away from intensive monocultural land use, we aim to create a species-rich environment that allows nature to recover and thrive.
The project will include measures to support this goal through all phases of development. As part of the planning process, two key documents are typically required:
- Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP): Outlines how environmental impacts will be managed during the construction phase.
- Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan (LBMP): Sets out how habitats will be created, maintained, and enhanced throughout the lifetime of the solar farm.
Together, these plans ensure that biodiversity is considered from the outset and continues to be prioritised throughout the life of the project, creating a long-term haven for wildlife.
PROW
We are committed to keeping all Public Rights of Way (PRoW) open and accessible throughout the construction and operation of the solar farm.
Where possible, we aim to enhance the experience of these routes by introducing meadow or wildflower planting and establishing hedgerow buffers. These measures will help maintain the visual character of the area and screen direct views of the solar infrastructure, supporting both biodiversity and public enjoyment of the landscape.
Beehives
We actively encourage the placement of beehives within the solar farm. The secure environment and abundance of flowering plants provide ideal conditions for healthy, thriving bee colonies.
In addition to supporting local biodiversity, the bees help pollinate nearby crops and wild plants, contributing to the wider ecosystem. All hives are managed by trained local beekeepers, ensuring the health and welfare of the bees throughout the year.
We are lucky enough that there are already established hives within the site. We will work with the local beekeeper to ensure the health and welfare of the bees.
Sheep
At our solar sites, Low Carbon works in partnership with local landowners to enable sheep grazing among the solar panels wherever possible.
This dual use of land is both practical and sustainable. The secure environment helps ensure the safety of the flock, while the solar panels offer natural shelter from wind, sun, and rain. Grazing also helps manage grassland growth, reducing the need for mechanical maintenance.
This approach is well-regarded by our landowners and supports continued agricultural use alongside clean energy generation.
Planting
Our solar sites are carefully designed to work with the existing landscape, preserving hedgerows, trees, and other natural features.
To further enhance biodiversity and visual screening, we introduce additional planting that includes native hedgerow species, trees, pasture-mix grasses, and wildflowers. These measures help to support local wildlife, improve habitat connectivity, and maintain the natural character of the area.
Community Benefit
As part of our investment in the solar farm, Low Carbon will contribute funds to support local community projects.
These contributions are intended to deliver lasting, positive impact—helping to fund local initiatives, enhance community spaces, or support sustainability-focused programmes. We welcome suggestions from the community on how these funds could be best used.
FAQs
Low Carbon is the developer of this project and we will use the information gathered at the end of the consultation period to advise on the development of the proposed solar farm.
Here is a selection of questions that have been asked relating to solar farm installations/builds.
Why here?
Low Carbon has carefully identified this site as part of a detailed feasibility process to deliver a large-scale clean energy scheme. Many factors are considered by our specialists when evaluating appropriate sites for development. These include considering the available grid locally as well as various planning and environmental constraints.
Solar offers a low cost, safe and low carbon way of delivering clean power to meet this target as well as reduce the levels of carbon dioxide that are being emitted into the atmosphere by replacing electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Why Solar?
The Climate Emergency, the cost of living crisis and the energy crunch are all linked by how we generate, use and supply energy. We urgently need to generate energy from new, low cost, low carbon sources and solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources (IRENA, 2022).
Solar is already making a difference, for example between June and August this year, solar often provided up to 25% of UK daytime electricity (National Grid ESO carbon app). The Government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) proposed a five-fold increase in solar by 2035. This can only be achieved by deploying solar on both land and buildings.
Are there any health risks associated with being in close proximity to solar panels and energy storage facilities?
Solar panel arrays do emit electric and magnetic fields (EMF) in the same extremely low frequency ranges as electrical appliances and wiring found in most houses and buildings.
The average daily background exposure to magnetic fields is estimated to be around one mG (milligauss – the unit used to measure magnetic field strength), but can vary considerably depending on a person’s exposure to EMF from household electrical devices and wiring.
The lowest exposure level that has been potentially associated with a health effect is three mG. Measurements at three commercial PV arrays in Massachusetts demonstrated that their contributions to off-site EMF exposures were low (less than 0.5 mG at the site boundary), which is consistent with the drop off of EMF strength based on distance from the source (2015, Clean Energy Results).
Will there be noise and visual impacts from XXXX?
As part of our ongoing work to determine the design of the project, we are undertaking surveys to ensure the levels of noise produced by the equipment onsite is within an acceptable range. Low Carbon will produce a full noise impact assessment as part of our application for development consent.
Similarly, studies are ongoing to ensure the visual impact of the Solar Farm on the local landscape is minimised. This will include screening and the installation of other mitigation measures in the appropriate locations around the perimeter of the land available for the project.
Will XXX use land that could be used from growing crops for food production?
There is always a balance to be found when new development comes forward, with many factors and impacts to consider. Due to its proposed location, XXXX will potentially utilise land that could be used for agricultural production. However, the land take involved is minimal in the context of food production across XXX and allows clean energy to be generated at greater scale and efficiency than rooftop alternatives.
Will the solar farm cause any glint and glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect it. They pose little risk of glint or glare. Testament to this fact is the installation of solar panels at Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
Are solar farms a threat to food security?
The UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.
Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.
How will this solar farm directly benefit my community?
Low Carbon will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.
Will the solar farm change the land classification?
It is a common misconception that once a solar farm is decommissioned that the agricultural land is turned into ‘brownfields’. However, this is not the case. The project is a temporary installation. It is envisaged that the operational lifespan of the project will be approximately 40 years and we will be applying for a 40-year planning consent. It would be a condition of any planning permission that the site is returned to its present use (agriculture) and remain in greenfield status.
Compared to other forms of development, solar farms are relatively low impact and the solar panels themselves do not have concrete foundations (unless there is a design requirement to raise them above archaeologically sensitive ground); rather they are simply spiked into the ground, with the ground below and in between rows retained as grassland/meadow. It follows that returning the site back to its former use is relatively straightforward.
Key Project Documents
In this section, you will find key information included in our planning application for the project which you able to download and view or print at home.