A major Nottinghamshire solar project is now under formal scrutiny by planning inspectors.
The Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park, located on land near Newark, has the potential to power up to 400,000 homes—the entire county’s households, according to the developers.
Designed as a ring of solar “islands” spanning roughly 6.2 miles (10 km) from north to south, the scheme would place its eastern edge alongside the A1, with nearby villages such as Caunton and Ossington at its heart.
Because the project is classified as nationally significant infrastructure, the applicant must seek consent from the government’s Planning Inspectorate rather than the local council. The application has moved into the examination phase, where a panel of planning inspectors reviews the plans, asks questions, and gathers further information.
Locals have voiced worries about how the project might affect the area. A public consultation published last year showed 54% of respondents opposed the scheme. In a newer consultation of nearly 6,000 people, only 3% registered objections.
Elements Green, the developer, says it has actively engaged with residents and reduced the land footprint by about 30% since beginning the process. The company estimates an area dedicated to biodiversity enhancements would be as large as 750 football pitches, including woodland spaces bigger than 40 football pitches and hedgerows long enough to stretch from Newark to Sheffield.
Concerns from nearby residents include potential increases in heavy goods vehicle traffic along a small country lane. Egmanton resident Amanda Bird, whose house dates from between 1800 and 1820 and sits on clay soil with minimal foundations, fears vibrations could cause structural damage and potentially make the home difficult to mortgage. She also worries about sleep disruption and questions whether anything could halt the project.
Mark Turner, executive chairman of Elements Green, says construction traffic would be managed to minimize impact, including the creation of a temporary internal access road to keep most vehicles off public roads.
Nearby Moorhouse resident Richard Allarton, a retiree and engineer, worries about flood risk from the Moorhouse Beck stream, which passes near his home. He notes that the planned solar panels would sit downstream of the village, between the Beck and the River Trent, raising concerns about runoff and downstream flooding.
Turner contends the project will not raise flood risk. He explains that solar farms feature grasses beneath the panels, which can act like a sponge to slow water flow and reduce drainage surge.
The examination process can take up to six months, after which a recommendation is sent to the government. A final decision rests with the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, currently Ed Miliband, with a verdict anticipated toward the end of 2026. If approved, construction could begin in 2028.
What do you think about such large-scale solar projects in rural areas? Do the potential benefits for clean energy outweigh worries about traffic, flooding, and local disruption, or should more safeguards be required before proceeding? Share your views in the comments.
