Upper Leigh Solar Farm

Project Overview

Planning permission was secured on appeal was secured for a new 49.9mw solar farm on the site of approximately 93 hectares (ha) in area, with the development area covering approximately 49.2ha of the site.  

The Challenge

The site falls at the boundary of East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council therefore the proposal involved two separate planning applications which were both refused by the respective planning authorities, following officers from both councils having recommended approval of the applications. 

The Solution 

The solar farm looks to deliver an export capacity of no more than 49.9mw in total, for a period of 40 years, equating to the annual electricity usage of more than 11,500 homes. It is anticipated that approximately 7,300 tonnes of CO2 will be saved each year by generating energy this way – contributing significantly to the target for achieving net zero emissions and addressing climate change.   

The proposal will also deliver additional benefits including landscape enhancement and mitigation, biodiversity net gains, and economic benefits.  The planning Inspector concluded that the substantial renewable energy benefits and other benefits of the proposal would outweigh the harms, and that the proposal accorded with the relevant development plan as a whole, therefore allowed the appeal.  

Client Testimonial

Nigel Cussen, Senior Planning Director of Pegasus Group commented; “We are very pleased at the outcome of the appeal. This is a positive decision, enabling the development of the solar farm in a suitable location, where it will provide urgently needed renewable energy to assist in the transition to net zero and help to address the climate emergency.”   

Other Contributors

A multidisciplinary team worked on behalf of Lightrock Power Ltd including Odette Chalaby – Counsel from N05 Chambers, Michael Sutton – Pager Power (Glint and Glare consultant) and Andrew Nock – Motion (Transport Consultant).