Planning application submitted for another Doncaster solar farm and battery energy storage system

The proposed Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park would deliver 49.9MW of solar generated electricity to the National Grid, co-located with a battery energy storage capacity of up to 30MW. It would produce enough renewable energy to power over 19,657 homes in the UK, saving over 17,410 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

British Solar Renewables is committed to delivering tangible benefits for wildlife and habitats through its Nature Protection Pledge, and aligned with this, the Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park is calculated to achieve a Biodiversity Net Gain of 184.2 per cent through various ecological enhancements including hedgerow restoration, wildflower meadows, and pond enhancements. These initiatives contribute to thriving local ecosystems and strengthened biodiversity.

The project will have a lifespan of 40 years, after which the land will be returned to its original agricultural use.

A community consultation period was held between 16th June and 14th July 2025, which included a drop-in consultation event in Hooton Pagnell and a webinar, uploaded to the project website for accessibility.

The consultation events allowed residents to meet the project team, to learn more about the project, and to feed back on the proposals.

Feedback received during the community consultation was used to finalise British Solar Renewables’ proposal in the submitted application for Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park.

If planning consent is granted, a Community Benefit Fund will be established, offering up to £310,000 to support local projects and benefit the local community. BSR welcomed input from local residents on how they can support the local community and will continue to engage with this.

Hayley Burke, Project Manager at BSR, said: “I would like to thank everyone who participated in our consultation on Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park.

“Our team greatly values the feedback received, which has informed our application for planning consent. We are pleased to have submitted our proposals for the solar and BESS park, which reflect our commitment to renewable energy and environmental responsibility, including measures that will help us achieve a significant Biodiversity Net Gain, far exceeding the 10% requirement.

“Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park will aid the City of Doncaster Council in addressing the Climate Emergency it declared in 2019, supporting its Environment and Sustainability Strategy in the built environment by increasing the energy production from sustainable sources. The project will help the UK Government to achieve its legally binding climate target to meet net zero by 2050.”

For more information on the Hooton Pagnell Renewable Park, visit the project website: https://bsr-hootonpagnell.co.uk/