Principles for ground-mounted solar done well
This sets out the guiding principles for promoting CPRE’s policy on the climate emergency when influencing the planning of solar developments; helping to ensure thriving and beautiful rural places as we progress towards net zero.
Overview
Solar development should work for rural communities, nature and local economies too.
It plays an important part of our move to cleaner energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Where new proposals come forward, we’ll work to ensure they’re planned in a way that benefits both people and the countryside. And where the negative impacts outweigh the benefits, we’ll speak out.
The principles below set out what we believe good ground-mounted solar should look like. They’re supported by our new planning guidance on how to respond to planning applications and are articulated through case studies showing ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ of solar development.
Most solar farms under 100MW are determined by the local planning authority. Applications usually include documents such as a location plan, planning statement, and design information. Larger proposals often require an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Developments over 100MW are considered through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) process and require a Development Consent Order.
How can ground-mounted solar be done well?
Our principles apply to both planning policy and to individual planning applications.
1. Better spatial planning policies
Planning policy should guide ground-mounted solar towards the most suitable locations. National, strategic and local plans should help ensure development happens in the right places and with the support of rural communities.
2. Include proper community engagement
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) says community involvement should be part of strategic plan making. Communities should be involved from the earliest stages of a project, not simply consulted once plans have already been drawn up. Applications should provide information on how community views have influenced proposals.
3. Identify sustainable locations
Ground-mounted solar should be located where it represents the most sustainable use of land.
This means making efficient use of land while respecting planning protections, including the Green Belt and other designated areas.
4. Protect irreplaceable habitats
Development should avoid habitats that cannot realistically be recreated or restored, such as ancient woodland, veteran trees, blanket bog, sand dunes, salt marches and lowland fens.
As the NPPF sets out, these places are irreplaceable and development on them should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons.
5. Prioritise low quality agricultural land
The best and most versatile agricultural land is a valuable national resource and should be protected for future generations.
Ground-mounted solar should be directed towards lower-quality land wherever possible. Decisions should be informed by soil surveys and include robust plans for managing soils, drainage and site restoration.
See here for Agricultural Land Classification.
6. Avoid national landscapes and other sensitive landscapes
National Parks and National Landscapes (formerly known as Areas of Outstanding National Beauty) should be avoided entirely for ground-mounted solar development.
Elsewhere, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) should be used to assess proposals and to understand how they would affect landscape character and visual amenity. Good design should work with the existing landscape rather than dominate it.
7. Develop at an appropriate scale
Solar developments should be proportionate to the landscape around them.
Large solar developments are not automatically worse than smaller ones, but developments that overwhelm settlements or fundamentally change rural character are problematic. The combined impact of multiple nearby schemes should also be considered.
8. Promote good site layout and design
Thoughtful site design can significantly reduce visual impacts.
Solar panels should work with the existing landscape wherever possible, and where possible use natural features to screen and lessen the landscape and visual impacts. Supporting infrastructure, such as battery storage, should also be carefully located.
9. Minimise intrusion from site security measures
Solar farms usually have high security fencing, which intrudes on a rural landscape. This should be minimised by using natural features, such as hedges or other landscaping, to screen security fencing. The location of pole mounted CCTV facilities and security lighting should be carefully considered too.
10. Avoid light pollution
Lighting in rural areas can be a form of unwanted pollution. Whenever possible, lighting of solar schemes should be avoided altogether.
Where lighting is essential, it should minimise impacts on local communities, dark skies and wildlife; particularly bats and moths.
11. Deliver genuine biodiversity net gain
Ecological Assessments will need to show a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in accordance with Local Nature Recovery Strategies as required by The Environment Act 2021. Essentially, solar developments should leave nature in a better state than before.
Existing hedgerows, mature trees and established habitats should be protected, while new planting should strengthen local biodiversity and support wildlife. Buffer strips between hedgerows and solar panels can also create valuable habitat. See BRE guidance here.
12. Keep public rights of way open
Solar farms should be designed around existing public rights of way, avoiding its obstruction or closure.
If it is necessary to cross a right of way, alternative paths should be clearly marked and well maintained.
13. Support farming and the local economy
Our policy on farming acknowledges the growing environmental, social and economic pressures that farmers face. Solar development can help diversify farm income and strengthen the resilience of rural businesses.
According to the BRE good practice, well-designed schemes can continue to support grazing while also bringing wider benefits to local communities through renewable energy and investment.
14. Assess cumulative impacts
The Renewable Energy Planning Database | DESNZ & Barbour ABI is a valuable mapping tool for tracking solar developments of different sizes and planning stages. Understanding cumulative impacts helps avoid landscapes becoming dominated by multiple solar schemes.
15. Ensure planning for the duration of solar development, including decommissioning
Planning permissions should include clear conditions covering construction, operation, habitat management, restoration and eventual decommissioning. Sites should be restored to a high environmental standard once they are no longer in use.
16. Support community gain
We support solar developments that are genuinely community-led or community-supported. See our research for ‘Community Energy Visioning – showcasing renewables done well – CPRE’.
Where developers provide community benefits, these should preferably support the wider community—for example through improvements to local facilities, energy projects or shared infrastructure—rather than benefiting only individual households.
