Appeal of major solar farm rejection dismissed

An appeal into the rejection of plans for a major solar farm has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

The proposed facility at land south of Wood Lodge Farm near Thrapston would have covered 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the A14.

An appeal was lodged after North Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning officers.

But the government's Planning Inspectorate has dismissed the appeal saying it would have a "significant effect" on the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area.

The applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 homes.

Campaign group Staunch, which fought against the appeal, said it was an "exceptional effort" to have it dismissed.

It said in a social media post it would "continue to object to developments that are inappropriate for the location but, likewise, support sensibly sorted renewable energy that will be needed to support future".

In the Planning Inspectorate's report following the appeal hearing it said it would "lead to the loss of foraging habitat for sufficient numbers of qualifying species" within the Special Protection Area (SPA).

Planning inspector Philip Major said "the need for renewable energy is accepted and is of significant weight" but added issues with the SPA and the lack of mitigation meant the appeal was dismissed.

The developer had been contacted for comment.

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