Solar panel arrays at Land At Dykewood Farm, Beeston

What was proposed

The application proposed a 49.9MW ground-mounted solar farm with panels, electrical equipment, access routes, fencing and possible sheep grazing for 40 years.

“DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT The proposed Solar farm is located on 95.52ha of land. The Development will introduce ground mounted solar panel arrays 3m in height and associated infrastructure which will have the ability to export 49.9MW (AC) electricity. After 40 years, it is proposed that the site will be decommissioned, all infrastructure removed, and the site restored to its former agricultural use.”

Officer report

The site

The solar farm would occupy 95.52 hectares of agricultural fields between Beeston and Gressenhall, with hedgerows, trees, woodland and poultry sheds.

“The Development known as Dykewood Farm Solar Farm is located on 95.52ha of agricultural land between Beeston and Gressenhall. The Site is made up of arable agricultural fields with modified grassland margins, hedgerows along the site boundary and field boundaries, an area or deciduous woodland and boundary trees. Poultry sheds are interspersed within the southern part of the site along the route of disused runways associated with the historic airfield use of the site.”

“The Site is located to the south of Litcham Road and west of Honeypot Lane. The Site currently consists of arable fields, surrounded by dense mature hedgerow and trees along the northern, eastern and western boundaries. The Site is irregular in shape and bound by an existing industrial estate and hamlets, scattered in the western region and arable agricultural land to the rest and wider surrounds. Beeston is the closest settlement to the Site, located to the west.”

Officer report

Planning history

A recent scoping request was made for the site, and the Secretary of State concluded that the development was not EIA development.

“RELEVANT HISTORY There have been a number of historic planning applications on this site; the following are the most recent/relevant: PL/2025/0258/SCO - Request for scoping opinion - Decision: Scoping opinion not required…”

“EIA REQUIRED No. Development falls within the description at paragraph 3(a) (Industrial installations for the production of electricity, steam and hot water) of Schedule 2 to the 2017 Regulations and exceeds the threshold of 0.5ha. The Secretary of State does not consider that the proposal is likely to have significant effects on the environment so is not EIA development.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, ecology, environmental health, heritage and other consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council supported the principle but identified several concerns.

“BEESTON WITH BITTERING PARISH COUNCIL In principal, the councillors are in favour of the building of a solar plant at Dykewood farm, they do however have strong concerns regarding the impact this project will have during the build and the lifetime of the installation. They would want to work with both the Council and Regener8 to ensure as much disruption is mitigated as possible.”

“I am satisfied that glint and glare will not cause any significant detriment to neighbouring residents. HIGHWAYS No objection, subject to conditions. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS No objection. ECOLOGY No objection, subject to conditions. Our previous concerns regarding Great Crested Newt have now been addressed.”

Officer report

Public views

Residents raised concerns about farmland, landscape, traffic, safety, wildlife, cumulative solar development and soil, while others supported the scheme’s energy and farming benefits.

“REPRESENTATIONS - How much solar power do we need, the high grove and castle acre sites are massive and on our doorstep, - Changing the landscape to the detriment of the county. Solar power should be on roofs, car parks, fence panels etc. not on farmland. I understand the plight of Farmers not making enough money, but this is a separate issue of the value of food and what the consumer pays for it.”

“- The levels of toxicity entering the soil from coatings on the solar panels and the heating of the soil which may render it of little use when the solar factory ceases operation. - Reduces productive farm land. - Only offering limited access to local people. - There are two other solar farms which when taken as one is huge it should be looked as part of all of the solar farms that are being planned. - Poor use of agricultural land and sheep farming is low production.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The ward representative spoke for the parish council, followed by the applicant’s agent and a business development director.

The committee vote

Members voted 7 to 3 in favour of the officer’s recommendation for approval.

“DECISION: Members voted 7 x 3 in favour of the Officer’s recommendation of approval, subject to:”

Minutes