Solar farm and battery storage at Woodhouse Farm, Catherine-de-Barnes, Solihull

What was proposed

A 49.9 MW solar farm and 5 MW battery facility would include associated infrastructure, biodiversity areas and eventual restoration to agriculture.

“Proposal: Installation and operation of a 49.9 MW ground mounted solar farm and 5MW BESS facility together with all associated works, equipment, necessary infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement areas.”

“This full planning application is for the installation and operation of a 49.9 MW ground mounted solar farm and 5MW BESS facility together with all associated works, equipment, necessary infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement, giving very substantial weight to renewable energy, resilience and other public benefits.

“There are a number of positive benefits accruing from the proposal, of which the national and local imperatives aimed at increasing the provision of renewable energy is the single most important matter. The proposal would contribute to this approach and improve energy resilience. These matters must be accorded very substantial weight in the planning balance.”

“In addition, as required by the Framework, great weight is given to the harm to the significance of the designated heritage assets, although the harm identified a low level of less than substantial harm. However, the benefits identified above would cumulatively amount to public benefits in the heritage balance, such that I consider the totality of the public benefits to be more than sufficient to outweigh the harm to the heritage assets.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Several statutory and council consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while two parish councils recommended refusal over Green Belt, landscape, heritage, agricultural land and highway concerns.

“Historic England – No objection subject to appropriate mitigation being secured. Hampton in Arden Parish Council – Objects to the proposed 49.9MW solar farm and 5MW battery storage facility at Woodhouse Farm and requests that planning permission be refused, principally because it considers the scheme to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt. 1.”

“Heritage Impacts • The response notes the Council's Heritage Officer has identified less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets. • It argues the applicant has not provided clear and convincing justification for that harm and that the proposal conflicts with local heritage policies. 5.”

Officer report

What residents said

Fifty responses were received: 44 objections, three neutral comments and three supporting the scheme’s environmental and employment benefits.

“- three letters of support submitted which described the proposals has having minimal visual impact, environmental benefits and increasing local employment, need for renewable energy and biodiversity enhancement.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three parish councillors and a councillor spoke against the application, while two speakers supported it.

The committee’s decision

The committee refused the application, finding that part of the site was not Grey Belt, the scheme harmed Green Belt openness and its benefits did not outweigh that harm.

“PL/2025/01404/PPFL - WOODHOUSE FARM Refused, against officer recommendation, as the proposed solar farm constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt. Area 1 of the site (Land East of Bickenhill Village) is not Grey Belt land because it strongly contributes to Green Belt Purpose (a), namely checking the unrestricted sprawl of the Birmingham/Solihull built-up area.”

Minutes