A string of planning applications for solar farms have been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council in recent months. But where are the sites and who is behind them?

Applicants filing plans for new solar farms – or photovoltaic power stations – claim they will power tens of thousands of homes and save thousands of tonnes of CO2 each year.

However, some residents have expressed concerns about the impact that constructing the sites will have on the environment, wildlife and the appearance of the countryside.

Solar farms provide renewable energy by using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

Several of the recently proposed and approved new solar farms are in Aylesbury Vale.

READ MORE: Solar farms ‘gold rush’ puts farms and newts ‘at risk’

Here, we round up some of the most recent applications for solar farms, while a full list can be found on the Claydons Solar Action Group website.

Approved plans for solar farms

Moat Farm Solar Park in Bishopstone, Aylesbury (Anesco Ltd)

Approved in February 2022

21/03182/APP | Construction of a temporary 24.06MW Solar Farm, to include the installation of Solar Panels with transformers, a substation, a DNO control room, a customer substation, GRP comms cabin, security fencing, landscaping and other associated infrastructure | Land At Moat Farm Bishopstone Buckinghamshire HP17 8SL.

In September 2023, the same solar farm was refused permission for proposed non-material amendment to planning permission 21/03182/APP (Construction of a temporary 24.06MW Solar Farm, to include the installation of Solar Panels with transformers, a substation, a DNO control room, a customer substation, GRP comms cabin, security fencing, landscaping and other associated infrastructure).

Bourton Solar Park, east of Manor Farm on Bourton Road in Bourton, Buckingham (Wessex Solar Energy Ltd)

21/00130/APP | 38,000-panel farm generating up to 12MW electricity. Construction is expected to start this autumn/winter.

Refused plans for solar farms

Callie’s (formerly Maggie’s) Solar Farm (Low Carbon Investment Management Ltd)

21/02310/APP | Construction of a solar farm together with all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure | Callie’s Solar Farm Owlswick Road Ford Buckinghamshire HP17 8XW.

Callie’s Solar Farm would have been located over 80 hectares (197 acres) of mainly Grade 4 (Poor Quality) agricultural land, with a small area of Grade 3 (Good to Moderate Quality), south-east of Haddenham.

The site would generate up to 49.9 megawatts (MW) of clean renewable energy connected to the local network (UK Power Networks) via underground cables into the grid at the 132/33kV Substation approximately 200m from the south-east corner of the site.

Undecided plans for solar farms

Rosefield Solar Farm, Botolph Claydon, near Aylesbury (EDF Renewables UK and PS Renewables)

Public consultation closes on November 10, and an application is to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2025.

Proposed new solar farm with battery storage by Botolph Claydon between Aylesbury and Buckingham, which it is claimed could power more than 57,000 homes and save more than 125,000 tonnes of carbon.

The farm is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and therefore needs a type of planning consent called a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build and operate it.

Redborough Farm Solar Farm in Ledburn, Aylesbury (Innova Renewables Limited)

Decision due by November 8

23/02313/APP | Installation of a renewable energy generating solar farm comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays together with substation, tower connection, transformer stations, switchroom, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements | Land East Of Ledburn Mentmore Buckinghamshire.

Kimblewick Solar Farm, Kimble Wick, Dinton with Ford and Upton, Aylesbury (Kimblewick Solar limited)

Decision due by October 9

23/02077/APP | Installation of a solar farm comprising ground-mounted solar PV panels with a generating capacity of up to 40MW(AC), including mounting framework, inverters, underground cabling, stock-proof fence, CCTV, internal tracks and associated infrastructure, landscaping, biodiversity net gain and environmental enhancements for a temporary period of 50 years. | Land To The South Of Bishopstone (Adjoining Plantation) Off Kimblewick Road Dinton Bucks.

Solar farm on land at Wings Farm, Marston Road, Granborough (Noventum Power Limited)

23/01939/SO | An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required for this site, for which a planning application has not yet been filed.

Existing solar farms

Bumpers Solar Farm in Ilmer, Princes Risborough (Anesco Ltd)

14/06582/FUL | The solar farm was approved on appeal in 2016 and powered up in 2020. It generates enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 2,800 homes, while saving 5,000 tonnes of carbon every year.

Under construction

Fox Covert Solar Farm, near Adstock, Great Horwood (Low Carbon Investment Management Ltd)

22/01496/AEL | Western Power Distribution are proposing to install a new T off electrical connection from an existing 33,000kv wood pole overhead line between the A413 Winslow and Pilch Lane Great Horwood. | Adstock Solar Farm Adstock Buckinghamshire.

The farm will generate clean, renewable energy to supply power directly into the local network via underground cables. At approximately 22 megawatts peak (MWp) the solar farm could provide enough energy to power over 7,300 homes. Fox Covert Solar Farm is located roughly 1.8km to the east of Adstock and roughly 1.3km south-west of Great Horwood.

Whirlbush Farm Kingsey solar farm, Kingsey, near Haddenham

Plans for the 49-hectare solar farm were approved in 2022. The solar farm will have enough electricity to power 14,000 homes and save more than 25,000 tonnes of C02 each year. The farm is in the pre-construction phase.