West Lodge Solar Farm Planning Application Refused

The Application for planning permission to construct a solar farm on land south of Wood Lodge Farm between Bythorn and Thrapston (Planning Application Ref: NE/23/00858/FUL) has been refused.

The Applicant, Wood Lodge Solar Project Limited, put forward plans to North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) to develop the renewable energy facility along the A14 near Titchmarsh. The site would have spanned across three fields measuring about 59 hectares and used for a temporary period of 50 years. The applicant said the project would generate up to 49.99MW of power and make savings of 21,496 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Bythorn & Keyston Parish Council recommended refusal of the Application and the NNC received 29 other objections from members of the public, including from STAUNCH campaign group, but the plans were ultimately recommended for approval by council planning officers.

The Application was debated at a meeting on 2 October 2024, as a result of which debate planning permission was refused due to the impact on the landscape and visual amenity and the loss of habitat in the Upper Nene Valley area. The Committee Update Report from the NNC’s website is available to read, here.

The Applicant may appeal the decision.