Greenvolt Power have secured planning consent from Bath & North East Somerset Council in November 2025 for a solar farm which will form an extension of the previous consented Howgrove Solar Farm. The full suite of planning documents and the decision notice can be viewed on the planning portal via this link.
The proposed development will contribute to energy security through the provision of local, renewable energy supply. This is enough to meet the annual electricity needs of over 2,800 homes.
It will also deliver a comprehensive scheme of landscape and ecological enhancements which will contribute to a significant biodiversity net gain in the local area.
Howgrove Solar Farm
Progress Update
GSI Howgrove Limited secured planning permission for Howgrove Solar Farm in October 2022, and this company was wholly acquired by Greenvolt Power in July 2024.
We have since commenced work on site, undertaking limited site preparation in February 2025, including surveying and vegetation management. Once the site is fully prepared, construction of the solar farm is expected to commence in May 2025 which will be carefully managed through a Construction Traffic Management Plan, approved by the council.
We expect the solar farm to be fully operational by December 2025, and Greenvolt Power will continueto fully own and operate the development thereafter.
Where is the Proposed Extension?
The project is located directly south and east of the consented Howgrove Solar Farm, which is located on land off Thrubwell Lane. Occupying approximately 14 hectares, the extension would have an approximate generating capacity of 8-10MW.
It will share the same access track as the consented solar farm, off Thrubwell Lane and will utilise the existing grid connection. The proposed extension will mimic the design of the consented scheme to maintain a visually cohesive appearance.
The temporary nature of the development will allow the agricultural land to regenerate during the period of operation, and the land use will be reversed back to agriculture at the end of the project life.
Environmental Considerations
We have employed a specialist planning and environmental consultancy, Wardell Armstrong (part of SLR), to carry out a full suite of environmental services and submit the planning application on our behalf. Surveys and assessments are currently being undertaken for the following disciplines:
• Ecology (including BNG)
• Glint and Glare
• Landscape
• Noise
• Archaeology
• Cultural Heritage
• Traffic Management
• Arboriculture
• Hydrology
• Soils
Outcomes of the assessments will inform the final design and be presented in environmental reports which will be submitted as part of the planning application. We have also engaged with thecouncil’s formal pre-application advice service.
Access junction off Thrubwell Lane
Construction and Access
Both the consented and proposed solar farm will share the same access track and grid connection.
The construction phases will not overlap and will be carefully managed through a Construction Traffic Management Plan.
Construction phase will last approx. 6 months for the proposed extension.
Construction traffic is anticipated to be relatively low, 2 – 16 HGVs per week depending on the stage of construction.
Peak travel times will be avoided. For the extension, the solar panels will take approximately 26 weeks to install, during which lorry movements will be restricted to avoid peak travel periods and school times. Construction traffic is anticipated to be relatively low (typically an average of three HGVs per day, totalling six movements). Measures will be taken to minimise any impacts on the local footpath network during the construction phase.
Once operational, the entire solar farm will be remotely monitored, requiring only occasional maintenance visits.
Next steps
May 2025
Planning Submission
November 2025
Planning Decision
Summer 2026
Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Greenvolt Power?
Greenvolt Power is a renewable energy developer operating in more than 17 countries. We focus on developing utility-scale wind, battery storage, biomass, and solar projects. We are currently developing a portfolio of greenfield sites across the UK and have also acquired ready-to-build projects, such as Howgrove Solar Farm.
Why are you extending the consented solar farm?
The existing grid connection associated with the consented solar farm has additional capacity, meaning we are able to increase the operational output of the solar farm. By utilising adjacent land, we are able to increase the production of renewable energy generation. Extending an existing development also has the added benefits of sharing an established access track and other ancillary infrastructure, as opposed to a standalone development.
Will the proposed extension look any different to the consented solar farm?
The proposed extension will be visually cohesive to the consented solar farm, and will ultimately appear as one solar farm. The solar panel table height will be the same height, at approximately 2.6m.
Will further environmental surveys be required?
Yes, we have appointed a specialist planning and environmental consultancy, Wardell Armstrong, to undertake a full suite of environmental surveys and assessments. This includes disciplines such as ecology, landscape and visual impact and noise. Copies of the environmental reports will be available to view on the planning portal once the application has been submitted. The proposed extension will then be determined by the council on its own merits.
Will the extension have additional environmental impacts?
A range of environmental assessments are being undertaken to assess any potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures, such as buffer zones, where necessary. However, not all impacts are bad; the proposed extension will achieve a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain through landscape and ecological enhancements.
What are the benefits of a solar farm?
The solar farm extension would create enough renewable energy to meet the annual electricity needs of over 2,800 homes, and will contribute to energy security in Bath and North East Somerset through the provision of local, renewable energy supply. The temporary nature of the development will allow the agricultural land to regenerate during the period of operation, and the land use will be reversed back to agriculture at the end of the project life. Additionally, a scheme of landscape and ecological enhancements will be prepared which could include wildflower planting, wild bird seed grassland and enhancing existing vegetation. We anticipate that the solar farm will have a significant biodiversity net gain. The solar farm will also not require Government subsidy.
Will you extend even further?
No, local grid capacity dictates where developments can or cannot be feasibly built, and we have not currently identified any available grid capacity in the local area.
When are you submitting the planning application?
We are aiming to submit a full planning application for the extension in April/May this year by our planning and environmental consultant, Wardell Armstrong.
Can I comment on the application?
Once the planning application has been submitted and validated, you will be able to view all supporting documents and site plans, as well as comment on the application by visiting the council’s planning portal:
How do I find out more about the proposals?
There are a number of ways to find out more about the proposals:
Attend the public consultation event on Wednesday 9th April 2025 from 3-7pm at Nempnett Thrubwell Parish Hall, BS40 8YJ
Fill out the online feedback form below
Email our dedicated project email [email protected], or
Write to us at Greenvolt Power, Suite 3B, Walnut Tree Business Centre, Northwich Road, Lower Stretton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4PG
Give us your feedback
We welcome your feedback on any aspect of the submitting planning application
Please provide your contact details if you wish to receive a response. Any information provided will only be used for informative purposes only and will not be submitted to the council as a formal representation.
1
Step 1
