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Calculations have revealed a planned major solar farm would generate more CO₂ than it would save, a steering group claims.
Analysis of the proposed 800MW Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park by the Norwell Solar Farm Steering Group has concluded that the development would “make climate change worse” and be responsible for 1.8 to 2.6 million tons of CO₂ more than it would save by replacing gas generated electricity — based on the materials used and activity during construction, operation, and decommissioning of the site.
The upper end of this is estimated to be equivalent to ten years of emissions from 72,000 average petrol cars, with the aspect “most damaging to the environment” said to be the planned 880MWh Battery Energy Storage System.
Developer Elements Green, which is seeking to build the 1.5 million solar panel facility in a ring spanning approximately six miles around the villages of Bathley, Caunton and Norwell, has countered these claims — stating they represented a worst-case scenario and the solar farm would “still deliver a significant net reduction in carbon emissions over its full lifetime”.
The plans, which are considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, are currently with the Planning Inspectorate for examination — and both the developer and steering group’s figures have been submitted for consideration in this process.
Paul Williams, technical chairman of Norwell Solar Farm Steering Group, explained that the groups’ calculations were based on modelling by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for the higher figure, and the lower based on modelling produced by the group.
“Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects require the Secretary of State to be certain the applicant has done as much as possible to reduce greenhouse gas during construction and decommissioning,” he said.
“This is associated with the materials used and activity carried out during the process, and there is guidance on this — outlining things such as the CO₂ for a ton of stainless steel — published by the Government, and also a study by the University of Bath. There’s no specific guidance for solar photovoltaic panels, but scientific papers have provided estimates.”
Elements Green first published its figures in January 2025, which have since been revised after “mathematical and factual errors, incorrect data, misleading statements, missing materials and unsustainable assumptions” were found by the steering group — who’s detailed analysis independent of a main campaign group is believed to be a first in England and Wales.
While many aspects of the calculations and submissions are now agreed on between the developer and steering group, some “big ticket” items remain contested, Paul explained, with the group in particular challenging Elements Green’s assertion the solar park could power 400,000 homes. The steering group put it nearer to 248,000, a claim it says is based on Government figures.
A spokesman for Elements Green said: “The assessment is made on a worst-case basis, applying the precautionary principle — where there is any doubt, the most conservative assumption is taken. Despite this, the assessment concludes that the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park will deliver a net saving of over 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide across its full lifecycle, compared to the expected situation if it did not go ahead.
“As the UK’s national electricity system continues to decarbonise, each new low carbon generation project naturally results in smaller carbon savings when compared with an increasingly cleaner baseline. Despite this, the project will still deliver a significant net reduction in carbon emissions over its full lifetime.”
The developer added that the comparison of the new solar farm versus existing infrastructure are also not “on a like-for-like basis”, as the solar calculation takes into account the construction and decomissioning of the facility, while only operation is considered for existing infrastructure.
The Joint Parish Action Group — a committee made of parish councillors and residents from 12 of the affected parishes — has supported the steering group’s calculations, and has objected to the proposed development on multiple grounds, including the loss of high-quality farmland, flood risk, construction routes, site selection, and the scale of the scheme.
Both groups also note “considerable concern locally” about the cumulative effect of the numerous solar farm proposals for the area.
The Planning Inspectorate accepted Elements Green’s proposals in August 2025, and following examination a final decision will be made by the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

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