new-solar-sunset

Project Information

A planning application was submitted to North Yorkshire County Council (NYC) on 10 July 2025 to seek approval for Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar. The application will be available on the NYC website in the coming weeks once validated by NYC here.

You can read detailed information on our project by downloading our consultation information boards. Some key elements are drawn out below, and you can also read our project FAQs.

Why do we need the solar farm?

The UK is transitioning to zero and low carbon sources of power. All coal-fired power stations must close by 2025, meaning over a quarter of the UK’s energy generation needs to be replaced. The UK’s climate change ambitions are amongst the highest in Europe and the aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is set in law.

By 2050 we could use 80% more electricity than we do today. For example, electric vehicle and heat pump ownership has grown thirty-fold and is set to rise with the abolition of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040.

Currently the UK’s electricity price is among the highest in Europe, meaning that we need to find ways of generating more affordable, renewable and clean electricity. Energy security for the country is now of paramount importance.

What does the project consist of?

Our proposals are for a new solar development capable of generating up to 49.9 megawatts (MW) of energy, with a battery storage system with capacity of up to 10MW. It would be located about 1.5 kilometres to the southwest of the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, in North Yorkshire.

The solar farm will connect into the National Grid through underground cables and a single new above-ground pole adjacent to the existing 132kV overhead power line.

The solar development will consist of:

  • Approximately 95 hectares of land.
  • Solar panels with a power generation capacity of up to 49.9MW.
  • Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 10MW.
  • Solar panels mounted on lightweight frames in rows spaced 2.5 m apart, with a minimum ground clearance of 0.8 m and a maximum panel height of 3 m. As tracker panels, which tilt the angle of solar panels throughout the day to continuously face the sun at the best angle, the height of the solar panels will vary from their midday point (1.83 m high) to their full height.
  •  Substation with a control room, storage units and electrical bay.
  • Inverters and transformers to convert power from DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current).
  • Site access and exit points via the A19 and private roads into New Parks Estate, connecting into the rest of the site mainly via existing field accesses.
  • Post-and-wire stock-proof fencing around the site up to 2m in height.
  • Underground cables and a single new above-ground pole adjacent to the existing power line.
  • Maintenance of the Public Right of Way that borders the Site, with appropriate planting and mitigation.
  • Approximately 1km of new hedgerow at the site boundary, as well as enhancement of existing hedgerows to screen the development from view and enhance biodiversity.

Hedgerows around the site would be maintained where possible to screen the development from external views and also provide biodiversity benefit. Where there are existing gaps in the hedgerow, additional infill planting with native hedgerow species would be considered to improve screening and enhance biodiversity.

Plans 1 and 2 show the Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Farm site location and the proposed layout.

How does it work?

Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells (which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar PV) that convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

  • Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi-conducting materials such as silicone. Each layer has different electronic properties that energise when hit by photons from sunlight, creating an electric field. This is known as the photoelectric effect, and this creates the electrical current.
  • Solar panels generate a Direct Current of electricity. This is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an Alternating Current, which can then be fed into the National Grid, or directly to large local power users.
  • Solar panels need daylight and sunshine, not high temperatures, so solar panels can and do work well in England.

Has the impact on the environment been considered?

We are mindful of the existing environmental context of the site. We have undertaken a number of surveys to make sure we understand the impacts the development may have on the environment, landscape, heritage and local community. We are also looking at ways to enhance local ecology and biodiversity through the project.

Plan 3 shows the environmental constraints at the site Click on the links to enlarge the plan.

 

How will the solar panels be screened?

Hedgerows around the site would be maintained where possible to screen the development from external views and also provide biodiversity benefit. Where there are existing gaps in the hedgerow, additional infill planting with native hedgerow species would be considered to improve screening and enhance biodiversity.

Will Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Farm impact any public rights of way (PRoW)?

It is not anticipated that any Public Rights of Way (PRoW) will be directly impacted by the Proposed Development. The Proposed Development accommodates all existing Public Rights of Way (PRoW) with a 10m width, with the addition of screening on all sides of the development.

How will the local community benefit?

We are looking at ways to help ensure that the community benefits from the development of the solar farm. This may include setting up a Community Benefit Fund to support local projects.

We have received a number of suggestions and ideas through the public consultation regarding how we can support and benefit the local community, and are considering these as we develop our community benefit plans.

How long will the project take to develop?

Our planning application has now been submitted to North Yorkshire Council (NYC) to seek approval for Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar. If the planning application for the Proposed Development is approved we would look to begin construction as soon as the grid connection date is finalised.

The current anticipated date is around May 2026, though the UK is undergoing a Grid Reform process, and this is likely to change. The project’s connection date will be reviewed by the process overseen by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) with support by Ofgem.

An update to the connection date is expected in September 2025. In turn, construction would start up to 12 months prior to the revised connection date. We expect construction will take six months.