The project

Helping to resolve the UK’s energy crisis and accelerating the transition to Net Zero through a new renewable energy development in the Melton Mowbray area.

Downing is developing a new 42 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) with collocate battery storage project in the Melton Mowbray area, East Midlands.

Freeby Lane Green Energy Park will produce enough renewable energy to power up to 10,000 homes per year. The project will make a direct contribution to the UK’s Net Zero goals. Transitioning to a renewable energy generation system should mean cheaper energy bills for the U.K. consumer, and solar power is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy.

Site layout

On 30th September 2024, Downing Renewable Developments held an initial community engagement event in Freeby Village Hall to present early-stage plans and gain initial community feedback on the proposals. This feedback has been invaluable in the evolution of the design, and we have now undertaken a second phase of community consultation to share how the designs have developed and seek further feedback. The updated design layout shown at the second consultation event can be seen below:

Project timeline

Creating a sustainable future

As well as being renewable and low carbon, solar power is one of the cheapest forms of energy for the U.K. A fivefold increase in installed solar capacity is needed by 2050 according to the Government’s Energy Security Strategy (2022) and projects such as Freeby Lane Green Energy Park will help the U.K. accelerate the transition to Net Zero.

We have a long-term vision for Freeby Lane Green Energy Park which helps to address the UK’s energy crisis, provides a substantial biodiversity net gain and supports farmers, local agriculture and the local community.

Forming a strong relationship with the community that we serve is important to us and we are continually exploring ways we can better support local initiatives. We value your feedback and try to reflect it in the way the project is designed, like the inclusion of permissive pathways and the retention and creation of wildlife habitats. If you do have any thoughts on how we can improve our proposals, please do get in touch here.

Our commitment

We carefully evaluate the impact our developments will have on local habitats, plants and animals to develop a long-term plan. For Freeby Lane Green Energy Park that delivers at least 10% biodiversity than before the site is installed.

We install Bee Hotels that provide one of the most recognisable ecosystem services, pollination, which is what makes food production possible. Log piles are another way we support a wide range of wildlife, including moss, fungi, insects and small mammals.

Planting wildflowers provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food sources. Installing bird and bat boxes and encouraging sheep to help graze the land are other ways we promote positive biodiversity.

Community engagement is the most important aspect of our projects. By communicating and working with local communities throughout the whole development process.

Latest updates

Community engagement exhibition: 26th November 2024 - Freeby Village Hall - 4:30pm - 7:30pm

Community benefits

Downing is committed to making a positive contribution in your local community:

One-off community payment

A one off £200,000 payment will be made to support local community initiatives. This will be split across local parish councils payable at the start of construction.

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Domestic solar installations

Five free domestic rooftop solar installations per year will be provided to local residents (up to a value of £5,000 per installation).

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No maintenance cost

All installations will be maintained at no cost to the resident for the duration of the planning consent.

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Helping those in need

Initial installations will be offered to households with the greatest need (e.g. those in receipt of winter fuel allowances).