Renewable Energy

Wind, Solar, Biomass and Anaerobic Digestion

We have been involved in the risk appraisal stage of many potential solar farms and windfarms. Also, we have been involved in many single turbine applications. Such developments draw very specific requirements in heritage and archaeology.

Wind Farms need a robust assessment of setting, over a larger area than many other types of development. With regard to below ground archaeology, we have found such schemes can be relatively flexible. We have frequently been able to recommend relatively modest shifts in turbine location to ensure preservation in situ of archaeological remains. This can reduce cost on archaeology and preserve remains. It’s an approach well worth considering and it is not available to many other types of development.

Solar Farms have a relatively shallow and small diameter impact when compared to other types of development, yet the number of piles is frequently in the thousands and this brings a specific type of approach from us also. The setting impacts of solar farms are lower scale than windfarms, yet they also need a robust approach in order to ensure success.

Both types of development tend to need an Environmental Statement covering cultural heritage (Heritage, Archaeology and indirect setting and on site direct impact assessment). We find that there is often more optioneering and design shifts with such developments. They often take place over large areas of land and we can, if part of a team early on, give good advice about where would be least risky in terms of heritage and archaeology.

We have worked on renewable schemes in England, Scotland and Wales and we look forward to helping you with your ideas on this vital area as our country faces the need to increase renewable energy production.