A decision was announced today (October 8) on the fate of the solar farm, which was first put to residents in March 2024 at a meeting in Mears Ashby before entering a lengthy application phase.
The site, measuring almost 3,000 acres, will see significant solar infrastructure installed on predominantly agricultural land surrounding villages such as Grendon, Mears Ashby, Earls Barton, Bozeat, Easton Maudit and Walgrave.
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The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Green Hill Solar Farm Limited in May 2025 and accepted for examination on 19 June 2025. The application was then reviewed by Secretary of State for net zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, and its approval was announced today (October 8).
A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate said: “Green Hill Solar Farm consists of an electricity generating station with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts (MW) comprising of ground mounted solar arrays and associated development including energy storage, grid connection infrastructure and other infrastructure integral to the construction, operation and maintenance of the scheme.
“Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.
“Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.
“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”
The proposal had seen a wave of criticism come from both residents, local authorities and MPs, with South Northamptonshire MP Sarah Bool (Con), leader of North Northamptonshire Council Martin Griffiths (Reform) and Daventry MP Stuart Andrew all voicing their concerns for the site’s scale and impact on the local area.
Under the Planning Act (2008), there is no right of appeal, however the High Court may entertain proceedings to question an order granting development consent from the day on which the Development Consent Order is published or, if later, the day on which the decision letter is published.
Green Hill Solar Farm was the 114th energy application out of 182 applications examined to date by the Planning Inspectorate.
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