The government has today (8 July) approved a major new solar power project across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
One Earth, a solar farm with battery storage that would be located in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and connect into High Marnham substation, has been consented by the Government.
Representing one of the largest investments in onshore renewables in the UK, it would produce up to 740 MW of home-grown, renewable energy. This is enough to power more than 200,000 UK homes and avoid 2.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, helping to reduce energy costs and support energy security, while making a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
One Earth is being developed in partnership between PS Renewables and Perigus Energy, a newly formed renewable energy company which was previously part of Ørsted. Both companies are established developers of renewable energy projects in the UK with strong local roots and local teams leading the project’s development.
The project also includes areas for environmental enhancement, to support native wildlife and increase biodiversity, as well as a community benefit fund and jobs and skills plan to provide local jobs.
Due to its size, One Earth is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. In February 2025, One Earth submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which was reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate. An Examining Authority was appointed to examine the application over a 6-month period, which included a series of public hearings, site inspections, and written questions with input from the local authorities, technical bodies and community members.
“We are very pleased to achieve this important milestone for One Earth and want to thank everyone who took part in the examination process over the last year. It is crucial for the UK that large renewables projects such as One Earth can be progressed as quickly as possible whilst also ensuring they are properly scrutinised,” explained Matt Hazell, co-owner of PS Renewables.
Randall Linfoot, Programme Manager for Perigus Energy said: “We are delighted to have had our DCO application for the One Earth Solar Farm consented. As a standalone project, One Earth represents the single largest renewable development within Perigus Energy’s portfolio and it is projects like these that move the dial on reducing energy costs and supporting Britain’s energy security, whilst also creating local jobs and benefits. Solar energy is an essential component to enable the power system to run on clean energy and we look forward to continuing to engage with local communities and stakeholders as the project enters its next phase.”
The next step for the project is to receive investment approval. Construction is expected to take two years and would be completed by 2029.
One Earth Solar Farm is set to be the second-largest solar farm in the UK. According to the developer, it could power over 200,000 homes a year, the equivalent of half the homes in Lincolnshire.
The decision comes a week after approving Peartree Hill Solar Farm and Dean Moor Solar Farm, and it marks the 30th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since July 2024 – enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 19 million homes.
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary, said: “The only way to have energy security is if we take a pro-growth approach to building more clean energy in Britain. For two years, that is exactly what this Government has done.”
This comes as the government confirmed new planning reforms last week to scrap mandatory pre-application consultation requirements for major infrastructure projects, which will cut up to 12 months from the planning process and potentially save industry £1 billion during this Parliament. Delivered through the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act, these changes will come into effect later this month.
It also comes as government data published last month shows that 2025 was the strongest year on record for solar deployment, with 269,000 installations completed across the UK.
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