The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has given development consent for the 800MW Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park in Nottinghamshire.
The approved project includes a solar photovoltaic (PV) generating station, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and grid connection infrastructure.
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Elements Green Trent, a subsidiary of Elements Green, submitted its application to the Planning Inspectorate on 27 June 2025. The inspectorate accepted it for examination on 22 July 2025.
The examination period lasted six months, during which the public, statutory consultees and other interested parties were able to provide input and submit evidence to the Examining Authority.
Following this process, the authority issued its recommendation to the Secretary of State on 28 July 2026.
The proposed project is located to the north-west of Newark-on-Trent and would occupy around 1,765ha of land.
Within this area, approximately 1,025ha are designated for the installation of solar panels.
The balance of the land is intended for mitigation and enhancement measures, the installation of underground cables, and safe access throughout the construction phase.
According to Elements Green, the 800MW solar and energy storage park could produce enough clean energy to supply the power needs of around 400,000 homes.
The Planning Inspectorate said this was the 117th energy application among 185 applications it had examined so far under the Planning Act 2008, with the process completed within the required statutory timeframe.
Baroness Curran made the decision on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, acting on the recommendations received from the Examining Authority.
All views and evidence gathered during the examination were reviewed before the final recommendation was made.
