The proposed amendments are as follows:

​

1. The introduction of additional noise mitigation at specific locations (acoustic containment to the BESS compound in fields 3 and 4 and acoustic fence to the western elevation of the substation area);

2. Relocation of some BESS compounds to be better positioned/ aligned in the context of the existing tracks;

3. Extending existing track from field 9 to field 8 to allow access for maintenance;

4. Further clarity is provided on substation area with both substation and BESS compounds identified;

5. Minor repositioning of solar panels immediately south of the substation compound;

6. Repositioning of swales at substation area to south of substation and east of field 1;

7. Clarification of PROW network on the site; and

8. Access gate detail has been added to all field parcels (with and without solar PV array) to allow for maintenance; and

9. Positioning of two storage containers adjacent to the access track crossing field 7.

​

It is important to note that whilst minor amends have been made to the original refused application scheme, there are no amendments to the proposed solar panel array and that the output of up to 49.99MW (AC) can still be achieved by the development proposal. 

Further details of the substation compound have been included as part of the Amended Scheme to demonstrate that all necessary infrastructure can be suitably accommodated within the wider Appeal Site.

In terms of the implications arising from the Amended Scheme, with regard to environmental impacts, it is considered that none of these proposed design amends within the Amended Scheme lead to an alteration in any of the conclusions reached within the technical and environmental reports submitted with the planning application. For robustness, however, the Landscape Management Plan (September 2025), Noise Impact Assessment (September 2025) and the Outline Battery Safety Management Plan (September 2025) have been updated to take into account the changes to mitigation and impacts from this. In addition, a Surface Water Drainage Strategy Update (September 2025), complete with Preliminary Drainage Strategy N150-07F, has also been prepared to support the Amended Scheme.

It is also relevant to note that having reconsidered the existing biodiversity condition of the Appeal Site, it has been determined that a higher quality of condition is achievable through the Amended Scheme. Accordingly, this will result in an on-site biodiversity net gain of 66.63% for habitats, 66.72% for hedgerow, and 22.04% for watercourses; this is an increase from 54.89%, 61.06%, and 20.20% respectively. To support this, an Ecological Statement (October 2025) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Metric (September 2025) have been submitted with this Appeal and provide a proportionate update to the Appeal Scheme’s Ecological Assessment Report, Biodiversity Management Plan, and BNG Metric.

Finally, an additional plan, entitled ‘Typical Water Tank Elevation’ Drawing Reference WATERTANK-01 is proposed to be included to demonstrate further details of this feature.