Stocking Farm Solar Array

Lichfields was instructed to prepare a planning application for the development of a ground-mounted solar array at Stocking Farm in the Gedling area of Nottinghamshire.

Contributing to the generation of low carbon energy to help fulfil the Government’s policy objectives on tackling climate change, the proposal was for a 4MW solar farm located on agricultural land within the Nottinghamshire Green Belt.

Lichfields was able to demonstrate that there were very special circumstances which justified the development within the Green Belt, notably the scheme providing the landowner with a means of achieving diversification in his agricultural business, resulting in security of farm income and future economy. The scheme also demonstrated that there were no other viable locations nearby when taking account of grid connections and capacity within the local grid network. Following the completion of the consultation process, acceptable planning permission was granted in the summer of 2016.

Tony Wheby, Earthworm Energy plc

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