Barnsley Borough Council’s planning officers have recommended approval for a solar farm which represents a multi-million-pound investment in the region’s economy, generating millions in ongoing business rates over the life of the project and helping to fund frontline local services in Barnsley and the surrounding areas.
Enviromena’s proposed 49.9MW Grimethorpe Solar Farm has received no objections from statutory consultees and is due to be considered by the Council’s Planning Regulatory Board in July.
If approved, the project will bring local employment opportunities during construction and long-term operational roles for the area, alongside wider economic activity across local supply chains and services.
The scheme will generate enough clean, homegrown British electricity to power more than 25,000 homes annually and offset approximately 14,000 tonnes of COâ‚‚ per year, equivalent to removing over 9,000 cars from the road, while strengthening the UK’s energy security and cutting reliance on high-cost foreign energy imports.
The solar farm is sited on some of the lowest-grade land in the area, protecting the region’s productive farmland for food production. Following extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders, Enviromena has reduced the development area by more than 20%, reduced the number of solar panels, removed infrastructure from the most visually sensitive parts of the site, increased landscaping and planting, enhanced Biodiversity Net Gain and introduced new public green space. As a result of these constructive improvements, this has led to a total of 211 letters of support being received for the renewable energy development.
Additionally, the scheme includes a community benefit fund which has been put in place to support local projects and initiatives. In partnership with the Red Sky Foundation, the fund has already supported the installation of life-saving defibrillators at Barnsley Football Club.
Furthermore, Enviromena has already been working with Milefield Primary School and the HCAT Academy Trust to provide meaningful benefits for local schoolchildren, irrespective of the planning decision. If planning permission is granted, Enviromena is committed to strengthening these partnerships and delivering further long-term educational and community benefits as part of the project.
Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, said, “This recommendation reflects the strength of the planning case, the ongoing energy crisis, and the significant economic benefits Grimethorpe Solar Farm will bring to the area. We have already invested in local initiatives because we believe our projects should power communities, not just homes. This is homegrown energy, built on some of Barnsley’s low-grade land, shaped by the views of local residents, and delivering benefits that stay right here in the borough.
“We hope the Planning Regulatory Board will agree with the officers’ assessment, and we look forward to progressing the project should approval be granted.”
