UK planning consultancy Lanpro has confirmed that the proposed 500 megawatt (MW) Green Hill Solar Farm has reached a key milestone with the acceptance of its Development Consent Order (DCO) application by the Planning Inspectorate.
The project, led by renewable energy developer Island Green Power (IGP), is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). It would be located west and south of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and north of Milton Keynes, spanning approximately 550 hectares for solar photovoltaic panels and related infrastructure. An additional 190 hectares has been designated for environmental mitigation and biodiversity enhancements.
The proposed facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 115,000 homes.
Lanpro said the acceptance confirms the application meets the necessary standards to progress to the examination phase, during which the project will be scrutinised for compliance with planning and environmental regulations.
“We are delighted that the Green Hill Solar Farm has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination,” said Tom Pike, director of planning at Lanpro. “This is a crucial milestone and reflects the high quality and robustness of the application submitted by Lanpro on behalf of Island Green Power.”
Pike added that the project highlights the increasing role of solar in the UK’s net-zero ambitions. “The scheme will not only contribute a substantial new source of clean energy, but it will also integrate extensive measures for environmental enhancement and biodiversity gain across the site.
Eve Browning, head of UK projects at IGP, said the acceptance marked an important step for the development. “Acceptance is an important milestone for Green Hill, and reflects the hard work of the project team, of which Lanpro has been a key component. We look forward to continuing the partnership as we take the Green Hill proposal through examination.
The Green Hill project joins a growing pipeline of large-scale renewable energy developments in the UK, as the government targets a net-zero electricity system by 2035.
