Homewood Farm Solar Project
Feasibility Study
Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE)
Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) is carrying out a feasibility study to develop a solar farm in conjunction with Fresford, Hinton Charterhouse and Limpley Stoke parish councils.
BWCE is a successful community-owned business established in 2010 to develop a not-for-profit community energy model. Our renewable energy projects place ownership in the hands of local people and actively benefit local communities in Bath, North East Somerset, parts of Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire. In addition to energy generation BWCE is focused on lowering energy demand and using renewables more efficiently; last year the BWCE Home Energy service launched to support householders in addressing the challenge of retrofitting inefficient and draughty homes.
Key statistics:
- 800kWp solar farm
- The solar farm site is approximately 6 acres
- Solar takes up approximately 2 acres
- The solar farm will take up 0.002% of land in the parish of Hinton Charterhouse
- Cutting emissions by 160 tonnes of CO2 per year – that’s 113 people’s average annual driving emissions
- The solar farm will generate an estimated 842,000kWh of electricity every year
- Ring fenced annual funding benefit to local communities (area to be agreed through consultation)
- Ability to graze sheep on the land
- Estimated increase of Biodiversity Net Gain of 25%.
- The site is Grade 4 Agriculture land *
* Grade 4 land: Land with severe limitations which significantly restrict the range of crops or level of yields. It is mainly suited to grass with occasional arable crops (for example cereals and forage crops) the yields of which are variable. In moist climates, yields of grass may be moderate to high but there may bedifficulties using the land. The grade also includes arable land that is very dry because of drought. source: www.gov.uk
Information Boards
You can view information boards about the proposed project, which include:
- Clean Local Energy with BWCE
- The Benefits of Community Solar
- Homewood Farm Solar Project – location, proposed layout & key statistics
- Environmental Benefits
- Introducing Local Supply
- Benefits of Local Supply
- Setting up a Local Supply Club
- Development Process
Where is the site?
Latest News
Environmental Statement not required
29th May 2025
The proposed location for the Homewood Farm Solar Project lies within the Green Belt and the designated Cotswolds National Landscape. Given the sensitive nature of a development in this area, BWCE requested a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion from the Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Planning Authority.
In essence, BWCE asked the B&NES Planning Authority to review whether the environmental effects of the project are significant enough to require an EIA. An EIA would result in an Environmental Statement (ES). The planning authority has issued its screening opinion and has concluded that the Homewood Farm Solar Project does not qualify as an EIA development, and therefore an Environmental Statement is not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
7th April 2025
Read our FAQs to find out more about BWCE and the Homewood Farm Solar Project. If you have a further question please email us.
Statement regarding expansion
21st March 2025
At the recent public information sessions one key concern we heard from residents was the possibility of BWCE extending the proposed Homewood Solar Farm beyond its current boundary, should future grid capacity or land in the vicinity become available. This has never been our intention and we have produced a statement to this effect.
Public information sessions
18th February 2025
In February 2025 we held three drop-in public information sessions In Freshford, Hinton Charterhouse and Limpley Stoke. You can view the information boards we had on display at these sessions.
Consultation survey
We will be running a consultation survey once we have provided further information on the project. If you want to be added to the email list for updates and to be notified about the consultation survey please contact us.
Who is involved?
If developed, the solar farm will be owned, managed and maintained by Bath & West Community Energy for and on behalf of the community.
The feasibility study is being carried out in partnership with:
- Freshford Parish Council
- Hinton Charterhouse Parish Council
- Limpley Stoke Parish Council
With support from:
- Community Energy Fund (CEF)
