Underground solar cable route at Land between Woodlands Solar Farm, North Farm Solar Farm, and Mannington Substation

What was proposed

The application proposed underground cabling connecting two approved solar farms to Mannington Substation, with one final route chosen from several options.

“The Proposed Development is for the installation of underground cabling required to connect the approved North Farm Solar Farm (ref. P/FUL/2023/02829) and Woodlands Solar Farm (ref. P/FUL/2023/03415) to the National Grid Mannington Substation, where a grid connection has been secured. The cable is essential infrastructure, enabling the export of electricity generated by the consented solar farm to the national transmission network.”

“The submitted Planning, Design and Access Statement (PDAS) notes the applicant has optionality within the red line boundary to allow for a comprehensive assessment whilst they finalise third party landowner agreements, and it should be noted that not all of the red line boundary will be utilised.”

Officer report

The site and route

The route links the solar farms and substation, mainly using existing roads, verges and tracks, with most of its estimated length in highways.

“The Site comprises the land required to provide a cable route between the approved Woodlands and North Farm solar farms and the Mannington Substation located around 3km to the south-east of the solar farms.”

“- Woodlands to Mannington Substation Potential Cable Route 1- would see the cabling return out of the western boundary of the Woodlands Site (using the same entrance route as above), south down Horton Road, east onto Horton Road before turning south along Holt Road and into the substation.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

The two solar farms were approved, while earlier cable-route and environmental screening applications were resolved before this application.

“Relevant Planning History P/PAP/2025/00333 - Decision: RES - Decision Date: 21/08/2025 Cable route planning application to connect two consented solar farms to the national grid…”

“P/ESC/2025/04777 - Decision: RES - Decision Date: 26/08/2025 Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion pursuant to Regulation 6 of the Town and County Planning (EIA) Regulations 2017 for a proposed cable route in conjunction with the approved solar farm developments known as North Farm Solar Farm (planning application reference P/FUL/2023/02829) and Woodlands Solar Farm (planning application reference P/FUL/2023/03415) at Mannington Farm, Horton.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the underground route acceptable in the Green Belt and found no unacceptable effects on landscape, neighbours, biodiversity, highways, flooding or heritage.

“Solar farms are identified at a national level as playing an essential role in energy transition and ability to fully decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050. • The proposal is for a cable route that will connect previously approved solar farms to Mannington Substation. The cable route enables approved solar farms to make a significant contribution towards tackling climate change though the provision of renewable energy.”

“Issue Conclusion Principle of development Acceptable Impact on the Green Belt Acceptable, no impact on the openness Scale, design, impact on character and appearance of the area (including impact on the National Landscape) Acceptable, little or no visual impact Impact on neighbouring amenity Acceptable, subject to conditions Biodiversity Acceptable, subject to conditions Highway impacts, safety, access and parking Acceptable, subject to conditions Flood risk and drainage…”

Officer report

The decision

“Decision: Approve subject to the following planning conditions: Officer note: Written agreement to the pre-commencement condition(s) was received from the applicant 10 July 2026. 1. The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission. Reason: This condition is required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). 2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and documents: - Man7b.v7 Es Figure 1.1 Full Cable Route Planning Boundary - Man7c.v2 Es Figure 3.1 3.15 Full Cable Route Planning Boundary Detailed - Man5.v5 Es Figure 3.16 Potential Cable Routes - MAN7d.v1 Indicative cable trench Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning. 3. P”

Minutes, 21 Jul 2026