Enviromena announces the planning approval of its first renewable energy project of 2025. The 8.5MWp Fox Cover solar farm in Seaham, Durham, will deliver clean, sustainable energy for the region, powering approximately 3,100 homes annually and saving 1,700 tonnes of carbon per year.
This approval follows a decisive 9-2 vote by Durham County Council’s planning committee, a testament to the project’s positive contribution to the local community and the environment.
The project will deliver major biodiversity net gains of 213% in habitat units and 192% in hedgerow units, featuring nearly one kilometre of new native hedgerow, 4,000 square metres of woodland planting, and eight hectares of meadow grassland habitat.
It will be located near the former Dawdon Colliery, marking a significant transition from the region’s coal mining heritage to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Councillor Kevin Shaw noted during the committee hearing, “The development is within 100 yards of where the former Dawdon Colliery was, where we had over 100 years of extracting coal which had a huge impact on the environment.”
Throughout the planning process the company collaborated extensively with statutory consultees and received no objections to the application.
Mark Harding, Chief Development Officer at Enviromena, commented, “We are thrilled by this planning approval and grateful for the overwhelming support from Durham County Council and the local community.
“Given the public attention that solar farm developments usually attract, the fact that this project had no objections from the local community for statutory consultees speaks volumes for the suitability of the location of the site and the efforts made by the team to develop this scheme
“This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering renewable energy projects that provide substantial environmental and social benefits, helping the UK achieve its net-zero goals.”
In addition to the direct benefits of the project, Enviromena have also engaged extensively with Seaham Town Council regarding community benefits and have agreed to fund some key projects in the local area. Engagement with the town council will continue in the coming months in order to bring these projects to fruition.
