A proposed solar farm east of Beverley has received planning permission after a successful appeal. The plans were rejected by East Riding Council in December 2024 due to fears the development’s “detrimental cumulative impact” that “would lead to an unacceptable industrialisation of the countryside.”
Plans for the solar farm, the site of which comprises over 100 hectares across seven fields of agricultural land, were first submitted to the council in 2022. After being rejected locally last year, the Planning Inspectorate has now permitted the plans on appeal.
The development, dubbed the Carr Farm Solar Farm, which is a joint venture with BOOM Power and Albanwise Synergy, is a 49.9MW ‘temporary’ solar farm that will sit for 40 years on land to the south of Tickton and will generate enough electricity to power around 15,000 homes annually. The approval comes just days after plans have emerged for another solar farm, this time on land north of Beverley.
Plans submitted to the council show how the Carr Farm development will lead to solar panels being installed on a large area on land west of the River Hull near Beverley. The small village of Weel is the closest settlement to the site.
The decision notice, which explains why East Riding Council rejected the proposal states: “Whilst the benefits of renewable energy provision are given significant weight in the planning balance, it is not considered that this benefit would outweigh the significant cumulative and visual harm to the countryside in this case.” It added the plans would “erode the intrinsic rural character of the countryside.”
After being rejected by the council, an appeal was made to the Planning Inspectorate which has since overruled East Riding Council’s rejection. While the Inspector recognised that the development would cause harm to the countryside’s character, this was seen to be outweighed by the benefits the scheme delivers.
Mark Hogan, Founder of BOOM Power, said: “We are delighted to be in joint venture with Albanwise Synergy on Carr Farm Solar Farm, marking a crucial advancement in expanding clean energy infrastructure in the region. This project reinforces the importance of renewable energy in meeting the UK’s ambitious climate targets, while thoughtfully addressing environmental and community concerns. Our continued success in securing planning permission highlights the strength of our collaborative and conscientious approach to sustainable development.”
Paul Hanson, CEO for Albanwise Synergy, added: “This successful appeal is a testament to the strong and collaborative joint venture between BOOM Power and Albanwise Synergy. We are proud to be delivering a project that not only generates significant clean energy but also enhances biodiversity and benefits the local economy. We look forward to progressing construction and working closely with the community throughout the project’s lifespan.”
The East Riding Against Solar Expansion (ERASE) campaign group have expressed their dismay at the decision. The group’s spokesperson, George McManus has said: “We’re very disappointed given that the Planning Inspectorate has just refused an appeal on a similar size project at Ashford in Kent. East Stour Solar Farm faced strong opposition to the proposal by EDF, from Ashford Borough Council (ABC).
“ABC had insisted that visual impact and loss of amenity could not be mitigated. EDF said it could. The Planning Inspectorate agreed with the Council. East Riding Council should now look at the case and see what lessons might be learned, especially in the light of a new application for a solar farm at Molescroft.
“The Ashford decision illustrates that this process is not a rubber stamp, as many have suggested. But it will require robust opposition from the East Riding Council if the Molescroft project isn’t to go ahead.” ERASE have also expressed their “myriad of concerns” with the proposed Molescroft Solar farm
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
