Greenvolt Power and Tor Energy received planning consent from North Warwickshire Borough Council on 21st May 2025 for a solar farm that will serve as an extension to the previously approved Astley Gorse Solar Farm. The full suite of planning documents and the decision notice can be viewed on the planning portal via this link.
The solar farm extension would occupy land immediately north of the consented scheme and will have an approximate generating capacity of 30MW. This is the equivalent of creating enough renewable energy to meet the annual electricity needs of over 7,000 homes.
WHERE IS THE PROPOSED EXTENSION
The project is located directly north of the consented Astley Gorse Solar Farm which is situated on land at the Arbury Estate, Nuthurst Lane, Astley, Nuneaton.
Occupying approximately 32 hectares, Astley Gorse Extension would have an approximate generating capacity of 30MW
Site location of Astley Gorse Solar Farm Extension
The proposed solar farm extension would create enough renewable energy to meet the annual electricity needs of over 7,000 homes.
The proposed development will contribute to energy security in North Warwickshire 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.
The land use will be reversed back to agriculture at the end of the project life.
Environmental surveys have informed the careful siting of the solar panels and associated infrastructure to avoid impacts on landscape, heritage and ecological designations.
The proposed solar farm would benefit from sharing the same access track as the previously consented scheme.
A scheme of landscape and ecological enhancements has been prepared and is presented in the Landscape Mitigation Plan submitted with the planning application. Proposals include new and reinforced hedges, tree planting and a combination of wildflower planting and grazing mix. Together, these proposals result in a net gain for biodiversity.
The proposed solar farm will not require Government subsidy.
Environmental Considerations
We have employed a specialist planning and environmental consultancy, Aardvark EM, to carry out a full suite of environmental services and submit the planning application on our behalf. We have undertaken assessments for the following environmental disciplines:
• Ecology
• Landscape
• Archaeology & Cultural Heritage
• Traffic Management
• Glint and Glare
• Noise
• Hydrology
• Arboriculture
The outcomes of the assessments have helped to shape our final design proposals. The full reports can be viewed by clicking the link to the planning application above.
Site layout of Astley Gorse Solar Farm Extension
Access from Nuthurst Lane where the existing junction will be widened, hard surfaced and visibility splays improved
Construction and Access
Both the Astley Gorse Solar Farm and the proposed extension will share the same access track from Nuthurst Lane. The construction period for both phases of the development will not overlap and will be carefully managed through a Construction Traffic Management Plan, which will be submitted as part of the planning application.
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
August – September 2024
Pre-application consultation
September – December 2024
Finalised design proposals
December 2024
Planning application submission
March 2025
Planning decision
Estimated 2027
Construction commencement
PROGRESS UPDATE FOR
Astley Gorse
Solar Farm
Astley Gorse Solar Farm was granted planning permission in July 2022 and was wholly acquired by Greenvolt Power in February 2024. We are preparing to commence construction in late 2024/early 2025 which will last approximately 30 weeks.
Phase 1 – Enabling Works
Duration: 4-6 weeks
Commencement: Late 2024/Early 2025
· Construction of a new site entrance junction
· Upgrading existing access track to provide safe access for construction traffic
· Construction of site compound, site offices and welfare unit
· Environmental and tree protection measures
· Upgrading existing access track to provide safe access for construction traffic
· Construction of site compound, site offices and welfare unit
· Environmental and tree protection measures
Phase 2 – Main Works
Commencement: March 2025
Duration: 6 months
· Construction of on-site access tracks and installation or perimeter fencing and CCTV
· Installation of the solar panel frames and PV panels
· Underground cable works
· Construction of the grid connection substation
· Grid connection energised in late August/early September 2025
· Installation of the solar panel frames and PV panels
· Underground cable works
· Construction of the grid connection substation
· Grid connection energised in late August/early September 2025
Phase 3 – Operation
Commencement: November 2025
· Final commissioning and testing ahead of full power export
· Removal of temporary compund and reinstatement works
· Landscaping and planting (in first available planting season)
· Operation and maintenance of solar farm for 30+ years
· Removal of temporary compund and reinstatement works
· Landscaping and planting (in first available planting season)
· Operation and maintenance of solar farm for 30+ years
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.
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