Planning consultancy Lanpro has secured acceptance for a Development Consent Order (DCO) application on behalf of Island Green Power (IGP) for a 500MW solar farm in the UK.
The proposed Green Hill Solar Farm project would be located to the west and south of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and north of Milton Keynes.
The solar farm, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), is designed to deliver up to 500MW of electricity – enough to power approximately 115,000 homes.
Lanpro said that Green Hill Solar Farm’s DCO acceptance confirms that the application meets the required standards to progress to the examination phase – a key milestone for the scheme.
The proposals include approximately 550 hectares earmarked for solar photovoltaic panels and associated infrastructure, and around 190 hectares designated for environmental mitigation and enhancement.
Lanpro’s director of planning Tom Pike said: “We are delighted that the Green Hill Solar Farm has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination.
“This is a crucial milestone and reflects the high quality and robustness of the application submitted by Lanpro on behalf of Island Green Power.
“The scale and ambition of this scheme underlines the vital role solar energy will play in achieving the UK’s net zero targets. Lanpro is proud to be continuing a successful partnership with IGP by supporting in the delivery of yet another nationally significant infrastructure project.
“The scheme will not only contribute a substantial new source of clean energy, but it will also integrate extensive measures for environmental enhancement and biodiversity gain across the site.”
Head of UK projects at IGP Eve Browning said: “Acceptance is an important milestone for Green Hill, and reflects the hard work of the project team, of which Lanpro has been a key component. We look forward to continuing the partnership as we take the Green Hill proposal through examination.”