Purpose of this Consultation
The British government was the first national government in the world to declare a Climate Emergency in May 2019 and the share of UK electricity generation from renewable technologies reached a new record high of 50.4 per cent in 2024. However, if the UK is to achieve its legally binding-target to reach net zero by 2050, this step change in the way we power our homes, businesses and communities must continue and solar energy is an exciting opportunity to produce homegrown, clean and affordable energy.
Emery Planning are instructed by High Marnham Renewables Ltd, working with a number of local landowners, to prepare and submit a full planning application for the development of a solar farm on land east of Upton.
Proposed Development
The proposed development comprises the installation of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels and associated infrastructure, including access tracks, inverter stations and fencing across approximately 75 hectares of low quality arable fields.
The solar farm will have an exported generating capacity of 49.9 MW that will feed into the National Grid at High Marnham. That’s enough clean, secure energy to power over 27,000 homes and save over 59,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, greatly supporting our fight against climate change*.
The development will each have an operational lifespan of 40 years at which point it will be decommissioned and the land returned to agricultural use.
There are no statutory landscape or ecological designations on the land, and the developments will improve opportunities for local wildlife, taking land temporarily out of arable agricultural production, letting it rest and enhancing its quality for future use whilst providing increasing habitats for wildlife and achieving a significant biodiversity net gain, including through extensive wildflower and hedgerow planting.
The planning application will be supported by a suite of technical assessments, including detailed Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment; Transport Assessment; Ecological Assessments; Agricultural Land Classification Assessment; Flood Risk Assessment; Arboriculture Assessment; Heritage and Archaeological Assessment and Lighting Assessment which together will demonstrate that the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the site or wider area and will help in the global goal of reducing carbon emissions whilst enhancing energy security and reducing energy costs for households.
Why do we need Solar Farms?
As the UK transitions to a low carbon future, solar energy is one of the most cost-effective ways to secure the UK’s legally binding-target to reach net zero by 2050.
To do so and to meet the UK government’s target of 70GW by 2035, we need to increase our solar generation capacity by roughly four times between 2024 and 2035.
The Climate Change Act 2008 commits the UK government to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels by 2050. To achieve this, a substantial increase in solar deployment, across all scales (rooftop and ground mounted) will be needed.
As an essential step in achieving net zero, the UK aims to fully decarbonise the electricity system by 2035. To deliver this the UK will need a reliable and resilient mix of technologies. Solar, battery storage and onshore wind will undoubtedly play crucial roles in providing zero carbon electricity at a low cost.
In fact, ground-mounted solar is currently the cheapest source of new electricity generation, reducing the overall cost of energy. Promoting homegrown technologies such as solar can help to reduce the UK’s reliance on importing energy from other countries. The importance of energy security in the UK has been underlined by recent geopolitical conflict, with the UK’s dependence on foreign gas imports causing unsustainable spikes in energy bills.
Solar project operators, such as High Marnham Renewables Ltd, are responsible custodians of the countryside, contributing towards local and national environmental targets, working with landowners to deliver multiple land uses and biodiversity net gains.
Solar projects maintain the amenity of the countryside for wildlife and communities by enhancing and protecting bridleways and footpaths, supporting local conservation priorities through measures including wildflower, tree and hedgerow planting.
Solar projects support rural businesses by diversifying their incomes and ensuring stable revenue streams throughout the year, thereby increasing financial security.
Project benefits
The development will generate up to 49.9MW of local, subsidy-free renewable electricity, each serving over 27,000 homes and saving over 59,000 tonnes of CO2 year!
Provide a domestic source of UK power that is not dependent on global gas prices which should help reduce national power prices.
Significant increase in local biodiversity with habitat creation, wildflower, tree and hedgerow planting and increased foraging opportunities.
Public Rights of Way will remain accessible to the public either on their existing route or redirected and enhanced to improve use experience
Not only will the development offer cheap clean electricity, but it will also aid farm diversification and generate local jobs.
Cumulative projects
Because of the realities of green energy infrastructure development, which is heavily reliant on the availability of grid connections, developments can cluster in certain areas of the country.
It is understood that there are multiple solar projects, in the wider area, but this site is well contained, and care has been taken in the locating of the proposed panels to minimise any potential impacts, particularly in terms of visual landscape and heritage interests.
The relatively short-term nature of solar development and the swift and simple decommissioning process ensures that the land will be restored to its original use, without concerns of degradation or contamination.
How can you get involved
We would like to know what you think about the proposed development and would welcome any feedback you may have in order that we might feed that int the development proposals prior to the submission of a planning application.
High Marnham Renewables Ltd is committed to being a good neighbour and would like to engage in a proactive manner so that the community can benefit from the UK’s solar journey.
You can make representations to us by either completing the below form or e-mailing support@emeryplanning.com by Wednesday 11th March 2026.
Next steps
Following completion of this public consultation it is intended to submit a Town and Country Planning application to Bassetlaw District Council seeking full temporary planning permission for a period of 40 years (this includes approximately 30-36 weeks for construction and 30-36 weeks for decommissioning).
Following the submission BDC will undertake a formal period of consultation at with time you can make any further representations to them regarding the proposed development.
Have your say
We would like your views on the proposals. If you wish to discuss the project please contact us using the form below to send your feedback and comments, making sure that all of the required fields are completed. If you do not want your name and address included in our report when we submit the planning application, then please let us know within your response.
* Based upon the average domestic electricity consumption per home (temperature corrected) per the Energy Consumption in the UK