Ground investigation works (w/c 17 August)

Next week, we will be commencing a programme of ground investigation work.

Soil and rock samples will be collected from fields within the proposed South Brooks Solar Farm site, and along some of the potential cable routes between the different parcels. These will help us develop a detailed understanding of the ground conditions and inform our environmental assessments. 

We are aiming to collect the samples over a period of approximately six weeks, with intrusive works planned to start w/c 17 August. If there are adverse weather conditions during this period, works may be delayed or may take longer than anticipated. Should there be any changes to the planned approach, we will keep this News page updated.

Where practicable, work will take place in field margins and away from homes, but you may see some of our team members on the site during this period. We have checked the locations where we will be working to make sure we don’t disturb wildlife or nearby utilities. 

The samples will be collected either from trial pits (dug with hand tools or a JCB excavator), window sampling (pushing or hammering a hollow tube into the ground) or from boreholes drilled by a small van-sized rig. Where we are drilling boreholes, you may hear some hammering for short periods during the day 

Some of the boreholes may be left open to observe and monitor groundwater levels and will be securely fenced while these are open. These will be fitted with standpipes, and you may see some members of the team visit these to measure water levels. Some trial pits will also be monitored to understand more about below-ground archaeology.  

We will fill in all other trial pits, window samples and boreholes immediately after taking the samples and replace any topsoil and subsoil.  

All parcels of South Brooks Solar Farm are subject to these surveys to enable us to gain an understanding of the ground conditions, including groundwater across the Site. This includes areas where solar panels are not proposed. 

The results of the ground investigation work will be important for informing the design – including the locations of underground cables – of South Brooks Solar Farm.