The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has today, 14 July 2026, announced its decision to grant development consent for the One Earth Solar Farm. This significant approval paves the way for the construction of a large-scale solar farm alongside a co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), designed to generate, export, and store more than 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity, contributing to the UK's renewable energy capacity.
The application for the project was initially submitted by One Earth Solar Farm to the Planning Inspectorate on 27 February 2025 and formally accepted for examination a month later, on 27 March 2025. The examination phase, a crucial stage in major infrastructure projects, involved a six-month period during which members of the public, statutory consultees, and other interested parties were invited to provide evidence to the Examining Authority. This process ensures that local concerns and expert opinions are thoroughly considered.
Following the comprehensive examination, the Planning Inspectorate submitted its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 8 April 2026. The department's final decision, made on behalf of the Energy Secretary's legal authority by Lord Whitehead, aligns with these recommendations. This marks the 111th energy application out of 179 examined to date that has been completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescales set out in the Planning Act 2008.
The approval underscores the Government's continued commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure across the UK as part of its net-zero targets. Large-scale solar farms like One Earth are seen as vital components in diversifying the national energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The inclusion of a Battery Energy Storage System is particularly significant, as it addresses the intermittency often associated with renewable sources by allowing surplus electricity to be stored and released when demand is high or generation is low.
The full decision, including the recommendations made by the Examining Authority and the evidence considered, is publicly available on the National Infrastructure Planning website. Local communities and interested parties were given ample opportunity to participate throughout the examination process, with the Examining Authority giving full consideration to all local views and evidence gathered before making its recommendation.