Introducing the project.
Cleve Hill Solar Park
Cleve Hill Solar Park is a solar and energy storage park situated on the north Kent coast which, when built, its 373 megawatt (MW) capacity could provide enough affordable and clean electricity to power over 102,000 homes. The project will comprise of an array of over 550,000 solar photovoltaic modules, energy storage and associated development infrastructure.
The site is located one mile northeast of Faversham, 3 miles west of Whitstable and situated closest to the village of Graveney.
Due to the capacity of the solar park exceeding 50 MW, the project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and was granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in May 2020.
Construction traffic management.
Due to the nature of the local road network, all site deliveries pass through the villages of Goodnestone and Graveney. Cleve Hill Solar Park Ltd (CHSP) is committed to minimising disruption for the local community, while expediting the construction programme to ensure a speedy end to unavoidable site traffic.
The Construction Traffic Management Plan sets out the requirements which CHSP must meet regarding safe and considerate delivery arrangements. For example, there are no HGV movements for an hour at the drop-off and collection times at the local primary school.
The project team have put extra measures in place over and above these statutory measures including:
20mph speed limit for all site construction traffic
Convoy system with escort vehicles.
Holding area for delivery vehicles to enable briefing for drivers, issue of CHSP signs for vehicles and speed trackers for every vehicle.
Specialist construction logistics company Munnellys managing the convoy system on behalf of CHSP.
The Construction Traffic Management Group meets fortnightly to discuss any issues and concerns regarding site deliveries. The group includes representatives of village residents, GREAT (Graveney Rural Environment Action Team), Graveney Primary School, Swale Borough Council planning department, Hernhill Parish Council, Graveney with Goodnestone Parish Council, Munnellys and the CHSP project team.
Encouraging members of the community to share queries or concerns.
Community Engagement
Jackie Hall (Community Liaison Officer for CHSP) and members of the construction project team regularly attend meetings with the Graveney with Goodnestone Parish Council (GGPC) to discuss community concerns and questions about the project.
Six GGPC Parish Councillors visited the construction site in October 2023 to view progress and further site visits are planned for interested groups later in 2024.
Hernhill Parish Councillors and GGPC Parish Councillors attend fortnightly meetings of the Construction Traffic Management Group. This group discusses a wide range of traffic-related topics, and we appreciate all the feedback we receive about construction traffic management. Other attendees include residents, the headteacher of Graveney Primary School and representatives of Graveney Rural Environment Action Team (GREAT) and Swale Borough Council planning department.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet the project team in person at community events in the summer and autumn of 2024, where we will share and discuss information on the progress of the project.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding the construction of the Cleve Hill Solar Park, please contact:
Jackie Hall, CHSP Community Liaison Officer: email info@clevehillsolar.com or call on 07766 408840. Jackie’s usual working days are Monday to Wednesday, and she will respond to any voicemails/emails received outside these times as quickly as possible
