Case Study
Client: IBVFordgate SolarLimited
Sector: Renewable Energy
This project focuses on understanding and shaping the future of Land at Fordgate Farm in Somerset, an arable agricultural site near Bridgwater. The aim is to gather clear ecological, arboricultural, visual and risk‑based evidence to guide sensitive, well‑informed development proposals.
Our team:
Owain Keeley: Landscape Associate
Alfie Slater: Arboriculture Consultant
Joe Small: Ecological Consultant
The project’s key objectives centre on establishing robust environmental baselines, informing and shaping the design of the solar farm, demonstrating planning compliance, producing high‑quality visualisations, and ensuring safe and coordinated fieldwork—all while seeking opportunities for biodiversity enhancement and minimising environmental effects.
The challenges at Fordgate Farm primarily stemmed from water‑dominated terrain, tight ecological sensitivities, complex landscape visibility, and intricate design‑environment interfaces. Added to this were practical challenges that faced Tyler Grange such as access limitations and the high coordination load across teams expanding across all our disciplines.
Part of our LVIA and visualisation tasks, we had to assess the visibility and effects using ZTV modelling, produce accurate AVRs, and develop the Landscape principles plan.
Ecological :
Our Preliminary Ecological Appraisal had three aims, Identify important ecological features, highlight potential ecological constraints, and identify opportunities for ecological enhancements
Arboriculture:
Through the BS5837 tree survey and subsequent AIA, we survey and categorise all trees and groups, quantify the Root Protection Areas, and assess impacts of the proposed development.