Scottish law firm Gilson Gray has advised Scottow Moor Solar on the necessary rights and the initial financing for the EUR38million ground-mounted solar PV project at the former RAF Coltishall, Norfolk.
Since receiving planning consent for a 50MW solar site in January 2015, Scottow Moor Solar has connected the first circa 34MW phase. This phase is believed to have been the fastest large-scale solar deployment in Europe: seven weeks from commencement to connection.
David Fyffe, founder of Scottow Moor Solar, says: “The good work of Gilson Gray has helped bring this groundbreaking project to realisation.
“By facilitating the option to lease the site and helping with the extensive legal complications of constructing on a former RAF base, the team at Gilson Gray has been integral to the process – acting with a commercial mindset throughout.”
The Scottow Moor Solar project is the UK’s largest consented solar farm site, eclipsing the previous largest site at East Hanney in Oxfordshire.
Gilson Gray’s Head of Renewable Energy, Andrew Fleetwood, who led on the project, said “We’re delighted to have played a part in bringing this major project to fruition.
“We believe that large scale solar has a continuing role in the UK energy mix.
“Solar is less visually impactful than wind turbines, relatively easy to build and allows for continued grazing around and within the site.
“The industry’s response to cuts in solar subsidies has been to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve delivery of projects within tight time frames. We are proud to help our clients to adapt and improve.”
Glen Gilson, Managing Partner at Gilson Gray, says: “It is testament to the talents that Gilson Gray has been able to acquire that we are attracting and carrying out projects of this scale and importance.
“It is pleasing to know that we played a material part in delivering this clean energy project. Andrew Fleetwood (pictured) is fast becoming one of the leading renewables lawyers in the UK and we are delighted to offer such talent to our clients.”
