Stop Grove Solar Farm
UPDATE: 5th October 2025
ACTION REQUIRED!
Please add add to your original objections by 20th October 2025.
Instructions below
Update 5th October 2025
Update 5th October 2025
UPDATE: Following a unanimous refusal for planning permission by Babergh District Council the developer has made an appeal to the Secretary of State against this decision. The appeal will be determined on the basis of an inquiry which will begin on 20th January 2026.
Since planning permission was refused, The Bentley Historic Core Conservation Area has been designated and the land upon which the solar development will be built is now within this Conservation Area.
Further comments may be made in addition to your original objection by 20th October 2025.
Please see below for how to do this.
UPDATE FOLLOWING THE APPEAL TO THE DECISION TO REFUSE PLANNING PERMISSION AND THE DESIGNATION OF THE BENTLEY HISTORIC CORE CONSERVATION AREA FURTHER OBECTIONS AND COMMENTS MAY BE MADE IN ADDITION TO YOUR ORIGINAL OBJECTION BY POST TO ARRIVE ON OR BEFORE 20TH OCTOBER 2025
All the original objections, made by many people from both near and far, remain the same. However, in addition to these objections, is the new fact that the area being proposed for development now lies within the new Bentley Historic Core Conservation Area. This designation formally recognises the unique landscape of the area and it was designed to protect it for generations to come.
The designation has formally recognised the rarity of the virtually intact medieval landscape of this part of Bentley, including the largest number of named ancient woodlands in Suffolk and the high number of significant medieval and post-medieval buildings of Grade 1, Grade 2* and Grade 2 listings, along with many more heritage assets that are undesignated. It also formally recognises the high value of this landscape to residents and visitors, as well as the
large number of well used footpaths, bridleways and designated Quiet Lanes.
The designation of a Conservation Area is in addition to the fact that the area being proposed for development is already identified as lying within a designated Valued Landscape Area in the Babergh Local Plan.
In other words, everything about the designations covering this part of Bentley are in direct opposition to the plans still being pushed forward for industrial development within its boundaries.
Further objections must be made IN WRITING quoting the appeal reference
APP/D3505/W/25/3370515 to:
Kerr Brown
The planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6PN
Update 23 April 2025
23 April 2025 update: Babergh Council Approves 'Bentley Historic Core Conservation Area'
DECISION MADE BY THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PLANNING – BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL In accordance with the decision of the Chief Executive dated 2nd December 2024 (no. BDC0030), and upon consideration of the recommendation of the Case Officer, his report, and supporting documentation, the Interim Director of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure, hereby determines to designate a conservation area in the parish of Bentley. The ‘Bentley Conservation Area’ being defined by the plan attached to this Notice. Reason for Decision: that pursuant to s.69(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the area within its bounds (edged in red) has special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The documents that have informed this decision may be accessed online here: https://www.babergh.gov.uk/conservation-area-consultations Philip Isbell, Interim Director of Planning
Update 5 February 2025
Babergh Council unanimously rejects Grove Farm Solar Farm Application
Babergh District Council rejected the "Grove" solar farm application (Application number DC/23/05656) on February 5, 2025, primarily due to concerns over heritage harm and landscape damage.
The council felt the proposed development would negatively impact the undeveloped agrarian landscape and designated heritage assets, and the potential public benefits of the solar farm did not outweigh this "less than substantial" harm.
Key Details of the Rejection
- Application ID:DC/23/05656
- Decision Date:February 5, 2025
- Reason for Refusal:Significant harm to heritage assets and the local landscape.
- Decision-Maker:Babergh District Council Planning Committee members unanimously agreed to refuse the application, following the recommendation of their planning officers.
Why the Application Was Refused
- Heritage and Landscape:The primary reason for refusal was the negative impact on the "undeveloped agrarian landscape," which forms part of the significance of designated heritage assets. The proposal was seen as altering the experience of these assets from the public rights of way network.
- Weighing of Benefits vs. Harm:While the council acknowledged the public benefits of renewable clean energy, they determined that the contribution of this specific proposal to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security was not substantial enough to outweigh the significant harm to heritage assets and the landscape.
- Community Objections:There were numerous objections from residents and local parish councils, including Bentley, Capel St Mary, and Tattingstone Parish Councils. Their concerns mirrored the council's findings regarding negative impacts on landscape, nature, heritage, and increased traffic
Update July 2024
This is an update following the applicant's response (9.7.24) to the consultation.
FURTHER OBJECTIONS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 6TH SEPTEMBER 2024.
Having reviewed the Developer's latest submissions, it is clear they have taken negligible notice of our numerous points of objection and have made almost no concessions to concerns raised. What is particularly evident is that the applicant was not aware that the proposed area for the Grove Farm Solar Development lies within a Valued Landscape Area, which is now expressly identified in the Babergh Local Plan. This is a significant point and one, we believe, should be the focal point for all subsequent objections in order to highlight the fact that the proposed area for solar development should have never been considered in the first place due to the unique and extremely special landscape setting, which is enjoyed by so many local people and visitors to our area.
The specific point relates to Policy LP18(3) of the Babergh Local Plan and this engages Paragraph 180(a) of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework), which states that:
‘Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: a) protecting and enhancing valued landscapes … (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan)’
Our opinion, and one that we hope you share, is that 100,000 solar panels, inverters and two substations, surrounded by miles of security fencing and CCTV cameras would completely ruin this valued landscape and it is completely implausible - in fact, absurd - to present this development as 'protecting and enhancing' this historic and unique part of Bentley.
We would urge you to object on this point by 6TH SEPTEMBER and persuade any friends and family who value this special part of Bentley to do the same.
How to object? You can object in the same way as before which is to submit a 'Comment' online within the comments section. If you are already registered on the Babergh Website you should be able to login and go straight to the planning application DC/23/05656.
If not registered, go to: https://planning.baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications then search: DC/23/05656.
Further useful information:
If you would like to read the Applicant's Response, go onto: https://planning.baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications then search: DC/23/05656 then click on the 'Documents' tab where you will see a list of documents underneath. Search for the Document submitted by the Applicant on 09 Jul 2024 where you can read their full response.
You can also reference page 18 which identifies the special landscape qualities within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Additional Project Area Valued by clicking here.
What is the proposal?
Green Switch Capital have proposed a 116 acre solar farm at Grove Farm, Bentley. The planning application is DC/23/05656 and has been submitted to Babergh Council with all public comments (objections) required by Wednesday 31st January
The proposed site's location is just north of the village of Bentley (see maps on left) and borders popular local footpaths and public rights of way, ancient woodland to the north and close proximity to St.Mary's Church Grade II* listed building to the east.
You can see the full proposal by the developer on Babergh's website, there is a link here, or there are also a summary of the main aspects of the proposed application taken from the public meeting held on 11th January 2024, there is a link here.
Stop Grove Solar Farm Bentley has been created by concerned locals. We are not against renewables - in the right place. We believe solar panels should be erected on brownfield sites, industrial buildings and made mandatory on new residential builds. Green Switch Capital should not be destroying our countryside, and historical heritage sites, to facilitate these industrial units.
We hope you find the website useful as a source of information as well as hopefully forwarding it on to friends and relatives who would also like to protect this very special, and historic, part of Suffolk. Your help in raising awareness and submitting objections within the deadline would be greatly appreciated.