There are a number of solar farms proposed in our area. One is already in existence and three more are proposed; one of which would be a national infrastructure project due to its very large size. A large part of the reason for this is that there is an electricity substation with additional capacity in the south east of our parish adjacent to the A1 and the Bushmead Road.
Here is a list of solar farms in operation/ proposed
- Little Staughton Airfield and Top End Farm (purple hatched area on the map above). Operational.
The planning application was approved in April 2015. Construction of the Solar Farm at Little Staughton Airfield and Top Farm, Little Staughton commenced in February 2019 with the full build on both Top Farm and the airfield starting before May 2019. The Top Farm site (the site closest to Staploe Parish) was all complete and the panels went live in December 2019. The Parish Council received £8,700 from Next Energy Capital as a “Deed of Community Benefit” in February 2020 which is to be used towards rebuilding Duloe Village Hall.
Both sites are close to the northern border of our parish and the Top Farm site is on the boundary. An access road and the cable route come through our parish from Hail Weston. There is no new substation in Staploe (it’s in Hail Weston parish). The access route from the A1 to the entrance to the airfield goes along Bushmead Road and the access route to the entrance to Top Farm (at Sharpe’s Barn) goes along the B645.
2. High Wood Solar Farm (purple spotted area on the map above)
A planning application was lodged with Huntingdonshire District Council in July 2023. The application number is 22/01813/FUL. Staploe Parish Council objected to the initial proposals but, following amendments by the developer, we supported the application. It was approved by Huntingdonshire District Council on 4th December 2024.
3. Cobholden Solar Farm (green spotted area on the map above)
An environmental screening opinion was lodged with Bedford Borough Council in September 2021. 21/02240/EIASCR. The developer (Cambridge Power) have been in discussions with the Parish Council and are expecting to lodge a planning application by the end of 2023. A planning application was made to Bedford Borough Council in April 2024: 24/00858/MAF. Staploe Parish Council did not object. It was permitted on 31st January 2025.
4. East Park Energy (areas shaded orange, green, blue and pink on the map above)
This is a national infrastructure project due to its very large size. https://eastparkenergy.co.uk/ There was a public consultation about it between 17th October and 21st November. Staploe Parish Council object to this scheme on the grounds of the scale and the cumulative effect of so many solar farms in our area. None of the panels would be in our parish. There is a cable running through Squires (of Bassmead) and Brightmans (of Cobholden) land in the east of our parish and they plan to use Squires access track from the existing solar farm. Both Squires and Brightmans would like us to make everyone aware that this scheme is nothing to do with them. They have been told that if they do not agree to the limited terms offered by RNA to use their land then RNA will use compulsory purchase for this as it is a national infrastructure project.