TotalEnergies, in partnership Anglian Water, are proposing a renewable solar energy scheme in Rutland. Staveley Solar Farm would have a power output of 40MW of renewable energy – the equivalent of powering 19,600 homes annually and cutting 14,700 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

If granted consent, Staveley Solar Farm would:

Contribute to the UK target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Provide affordable, reliable energy for the National Grid.

Support Anglian Water’s net zero objectives and decarbonise the water supply.

Help to diversify the existing farm’s operations, sustaining broader agricultural production.

Utilise brownfield land with poor soil quality, and enhance it to ensure biodiversity can flourish and sheep can graze on the site.

Create local employment opportunities and provide a long-term Community Benefit Fund to support local projects in education, environmental improvements, and social inclusion.

  • Incorporate more than 7 hectares of Biodiversity Enhancement Areas (BEA) that will create flower-rich habitats that support pollinators.
  • Achieve a biodiversity net gain of 31.63% in local habitats and 57.71% in surrounding hedgerows.
  • Lead to 1,022m of proposed new hedgerow and 95m of new hedgerow infill.
  • Plant 156 new trees on site.
  • Encourage sheep grazing under solar panels, providing the potential to increase the level of carbon sequestered by the grassland over the solar farm’s operational lifetime.

  • Prioritise educational initiatives, offering funding and support for local youth inclusion programs, contributing to the development of skills and opportunities within the community.
  • Removed from the most prominent south-facing slopes which would have been visible from parts of Morcott and introduced additional hedgerow planting, including along Morcott Road.

Read more about our environmental enhancement plans here.

Earlier this year, we submitted our planning application to Rutland County Council.

There is still time to have your say on the plans via the Council’s website before the Planning and Licensing Committee makes a decision on the application in the coming months.

If you wish to comment on Staveley Solar Farm’s planning application, a link can be found here. The planning application number is 2024/0300/MAF.