Horton Solar Farm Update including upcoming Road Closures

Dear Whimple, Talaton, Clyst Hydon and Clyst St Lawrence Parish Councils,

Following a suggestion from Clyst St Lawrence Parish Council, I am writing to you all together to ensure you have a consistent overview of our upcoming construction plans for the solar farm.

To date, we have shared slightly different communications with each parish, reflecting how the construction programme specifically affects your areas. However, for clarity and transparency, I have attached copies of the letters issued to residents along:

• the northern route (Aunk) for the grid connection works, and
• the southern route (Newtown) for the main solar farm construction.

We recognise that the parishes are closely connected and that the local road network will be affected by the planned road closures. Our aim is to provide as much advance notice as possible so that residents and road users can prepare accordingly. Appropriate advanced notice signage should be in place by next week.

For clarity, there will be two main areas of road closure (plans attached):

• Aunk to Clyst St Lawrence (north of the site): to facilitate construction of the grid connection access
• Newtown to Whimple Road (south of the site): to facilitate construction of the main site entrances (across two phases)

The anticipated timings are as follows:

• Newtown to Whimple Road (south of site): since issuing the notification yesterday, this will now be from 19 May (previously 15 May) for approximately 3–4 weeks
• Aunk (north of site): 1 June to 19 June
• Newtown to Whimple Road (south of site): from 22 June for approximately 1 week

We recognise that there is some overlap between the southern and northern road closure and this may cause additional inconvenience for road users. We will therefore seek to minimise this wherever possible.

The road closures are required by Devon Highways under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) and are necessary to ensure the safety of both the workforce and road users, particularly given the limited road widths and restricted passing space.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like any further information.

We look forward to meeting with those attending on the 23rd.

Best wishes,