A large-scale solar farm proposed on agricultural land near North Muskham is set to be approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee, following a recommendation from officers to grant permission subject to conditions.
The application, submitted by Foxholes Solar Limited, relates to around 75 hectares of farmland at Foxholes Farm off Bathley Lane, located in open countryside between Norwell, Bathley and Cromwell. The scheme has been under consideration since it was registered in November 2022 and is due to be determined at a committee meeting on 27 April 2026.
The proposal would see the construction of a solar photovoltaic farm with a generating capacity of up to 49.9 megawatts, alongside associated infrastructure including inverters, a substation, access tracks, security fencing and CCTV. The panels would be mounted in rows across the site, reaching a maximum height of around four metres, and would track the movement of the sun to maximise efficiency.
If approved, the development would operate for around 40 years before being decommissioned, with the land restored to agricultural use. During its lifetime, the site could still be used for activities such as sheep grazing beneath the panels, meaning it would not be permanently lost to farming.
Planning officers say the scheme would make a significant contribution to renewable energy generation, potentially supplying electricity equivalent to the needs of around 15,750 homes and supporting national and local targets to reduce carbon emissions. The recommendation reflects a broader policy position at both national and local level which gives substantial weight to renewable energy projects as part of the transition to net zero.
The proposal has generated considerable public interest, with 148 objections submitted during the consultation process. Concerns raised by residents and parish councils include the visual impact on the rural landscape, potential harm to the setting of the Norwell Conservation Area and nearby listed buildings, loss of agricultural land, and the impact of construction traffic on narrow rural roads.
There have also been concerns about flood risk due to the proximity of the site to The Beck, the impact on public footpaths and bridleways crossing the land, and possible effects on wildlife and biodiversity. Some objectors have questioned the efficiency of the site, citing the orientation of panels and the use of what is classified as best and most versatile agricultural land.
Parish councils including Norwell, Bathley and North Muskham have objected on a range of grounds, particularly around heritage, highways and landscape impacts. Norwell Parish Council has raised concerns about the effect on the setting of the Grade I listed Church of St Laurence and the wider conservation area, while others have highlighted cumulative impacts alongside other renewable energy developments in the area.
Statutory consultees initially raised issues in several areas, including highways, flood risk and environmental impacts, but most objections have since been withdrawn following additional information and amendments. Nottinghamshire County Council’s highways authority and National Highways now raise no objection subject to conditions, while the Environment Agency has withdrawn its earlier concerns after revised flood risk information was submitted.
Natural England has also raised no objection, provided mitigation measures such as a soil management plan are secured. Proposals include ecological enhancements such as new hedgerow planting, wildflower habitats and measures to support species including skylarks.
The site itself consists of a mix of Grade 3a and 3b agricultural land, with around 53% classified as best and most versatile. Planning officers conclude that while there would be a temporary reduction in food production, the land would not be permanently lost and could still support agricultural use during the operational period.
In assessing the scheme, officers highlight that national planning policy does not require developers to demonstrate an overall need for renewable energy projects and instead directs councils to give significant weight to their benefits. The report states that while impacts on landscape, heritage and local amenity must be carefully considered, these must be balanced against the wider public benefits of low-carbon energy generation.
The application is being considered by the planning committee due to its scale and the level of public interest. Members will be asked to weigh the identified harms, including what officers describe as “less than substantial” harm to heritage assets, against the environmental and energy benefits of the scheme before making a final decision.
If approved, further details such as construction management, landscaping, drainage and ecological management would be secured through planning conditions, with additional approvals required before development could begin.
The committee’s decision will determine whether the project proceeds, with the next steps dependent on whether permission is granted and any subsequent conditions are discharged.
