UK Solar Farm Plans Face Mixed Outcomes Across Regions

Several significant solar farm projects are currently under consideration across the UK, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy capacity. Developer Anesco has submitted plans for a 49.98 MW solar farm and 43 MW battery energy storage scheme near York, aiming to power over 13,500 homes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 12,000 tonnes annually. In Bristol, a 4.8 MW solar farm expansion is proposed to power nearly 1,900 homes, supporting local jobs and advancing the city's decarbonization goals. Conversely, a proposed 34.8-hectare solar farm near Andover was rejected due to its location within a protected landscape despite council officers' recommendation for approval. Wiltshire Council planning officers have recommended refusal of a 49.9 MW solar farm near Devizes due to concerns about visual impact, environmental effects, and insufficient archaeological assessment. Additionally, British Solar Renewables has applied for a 15 MW solar park near Maidstone, Kent, designed to enhance local biodiversity, while also pursuing larger projects, including a 49.9 MW solar-plus-storage development near Doncaster and a 150 MWp solar project in Lincolnshire.