Government Approves £200 Million Byers Gill Solar Farm

Image Credit: RWE

A central £200 million solar farm has just received the green light from the UK government. The Byers Gill Solar Farm, set to span multiple locations between Darlington and Stockton, has been granted a development consent order. This type of approval is needed for projects considered nationally significant infrastructure.

Not everyone is on board. Some residents have voiced concerns, claiming the solar farm could tear at the fabric of their communities, dominate the surrounding views, and reduce valuable farmland.

RWE, the developer behind the project, argues otherwise. They say the solar farm will play a vital role in helping the UK meet its energy security goals. However, it’s believed the company won’t make a final decision on whether to move forward with construction for at least another year.

If it proceeds, the 180-megawatt installation would comprise several separate sites. These include areas in Brafferton, Hauxley Farm, Byers Gill Wood, Great Stainton, and two locations near Bishopton.

The development would cover around 490 hectares, or roughly 1,200 acres of land. RWE has committed to operating the site for 40 years, after which all infrastructure will be dismantled and removed.

Residents still have their reservations. Norman Mullaney, who lives in Bishopton, shared fears that the farm could isolate villagers and make them feel trapped in their own homes.

"There is a large amount of anxiety and anguish about the impact of the poorly-located solar farm," he said. "The size of the development is a major concern."

In a document detailing its recommendation, the Planning Inspectorate said it had given "great weight" to the "residual significant adverse landscape and visual effects" that may be caused by the farm when considering the plans.

It said some of the plans would "alter" Bishopton's "unobstructed country view" to one that would be "dominated at points" by landscape screening, such as hedgerows.

To help offset concerns, RWE has proposed a £1.5 million community benefit fund. Over the life of the project, this fund would go toward initiatives such as electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop solar installations, and even simple additions like picnic benches.

The energy consumers minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said that approving the plans was "another step forward" in the government's mission to make the country a "clean energy superpower".