Southampton: Bond Dickinson advises on deal for Somerset solar farm project

Energy lawyers from the Southampton office of national firm Bond Dickinson have advised Hadstone Energy, which specialises in developing, building, operating and investing in solar farms, on an agreement with Belltown Power for the funding and sale of the 10.2MWp solar farm project at Watchfield in Somerset. As part of the agreement, Hadstone will provide ongoing services to Belltown in relation to the project.  

Energy partner Sebastian Briggs led the team that advised Hadstone, and was supported by Stephen Ryde-Weller, Libbie Henderson, Jenny Thompson and Ronan Lowney.

Briggs commented: 'We are pleased to have advised Hadstone on this strategically important transaction. There is real appetite within the sector for quality projects and Hadstone's professional approach to the development of the Watchfield project is demonstrated by the fact that it is Belltown's first solar acquisition."

Hadstone's directors Philip Deeks and James Rowe commented: "We are delighted to have completed this transaction with Belltown Power, with whom we have worked for a couple of years. Sebastian and Stephen were very helpful, they were always responsive and we will be using them again. Their expertise and knowledge of the renewable energy sector were important contributions to achieving a successful outcome."

The Watchfield solar farm project received planning permission on August 1, 2013, and is scheduled to start construction next month. Once constructed, the site will power over 2,000 homes and save 4,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.