Belltown Power is pleased to be presenting their proposals for a renewable energy project on land to the northwest of Dunham-on-the-Hill. The proposed 30MWac solar farm would be able to generate enough green energy to meet the annual energy needs of approximately 13,000 homes, across 40 years.
This site has been carefully selected to deliver clean, renewable energy while supporting biodiversity, ecology and the local community. The area is identified as Grade 3b agricultural land, which is not best and most versatile (BMV), and surveys are ongoing to confirm this. The proposals are temporary, with the solar farm expected to operate for 40 years before being fully decommissioned. During this time, the land will maintain its greenfield classification and at the end of its lifespan, all infrastructure will be removed and the site can be restored to its original use.
Dunham-on-the-Hill and Hapsford Parish Council have recently published their draft Neighbourhood Plan for final review. Policy DHH 10 aims to ‘encourage and support renewable energy generation at an appropriate scale that minimizes impact on the natural environment, biodiversity and local landscape character.’ The plan also identifies key wildlife corridors intersecting the proposed Hob Lane site, which align with some of the hedgerow and scrubland corridors we will be enhancing. We will also be avoiding any impact on the old WWII ammunition stores scattered around the site; while these are not designated heritage assets, the Neighbourhood Plan describes them as of ‘significant local historical and social interest'.
Feedback from the local community is important to us and we would like to hear your thoughts on this much needed renewable energy project.
We would like to invite you to find out more about our proposal by attending:
Virtual Exhibition
The materials from our public exhibition are available to view online here (the link will open up in a new window).
We are facing an unprecedented global climate crisis driven by our continued reliance on fossil fuels. Over the past 50 years, weather-induced disasters have increased fivefold, highlighting the urgent need for action. The UK’s energy security faces growing challenges from volatile global fuel prices, supply chain disruptions and rising demand due to population growth.
Solar energy can support in addressing these risks by providing a stable, low-cost, home-grown source of renewable energy which enables us to reduce our reliance on imported sources of energy whilst simultaneously tackling the climate emergency. As the urgency to address climate change grows, renewable energy solutions like solar farms play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to a net-zero future. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, they contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
Recognising this urgency, Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has committed to becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2045, including increasing solar capacity to 800MW by 2050 (a 25x increase over 30 years). Hob Lane Solar Farm can support this target, while reducing the region’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Climate change is also the biggest threat to food security and by delivering more green energy, we can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate against the effects of climate change. To meet the government’s net zero carbon emissions targets, solar farms would have to take up just 0.6% of the UK land area – this is less than the amount land currently used for golf courses.
This shift towards cleaner energy is already underway. In 2023, the UK saw a 22% decline in electricity generation from fossil fuels, reflecting a national movement towards low-carbon alternatives. With fossil fuel use expected to continue falling, developing new renewable energy projects – such as Hob Lane Solar Farm – are essential to bridging the energy gap and securing a stable, low-carbon power supply for the future.
At Belltown Power, we are committed to ensuring that Hob Lane Solar Farm not only generates clean energy but also enhances biodiversity and supports local wildlife. The project has been designed with nature in mind, incorporating measures to protect and improve the natural environment for long-term ecological benefits.
Existing hedgerows will be retained, enhanced and strengthened, providing valuable habitats and natural screening. In addition, we will enhance existing ponds and scrubland areas across the site, contributing to a richer and more diverse local ecosystem. More details of the proposed enhancement plans can be found here.
To encourage wildlife, the site will feature barn owl boxes, beehives and mammal gates, offering essential habitats for new and existing species. Wildflower meadows will create a thriving environment for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. By reducing pesticide use and adopting sensitive land management practices, we will ensure the site remains a biodiverse and ecologically valuable space while also producing renewable energy.
We are committed to ensuring that this solar farm delivers meaningful benefits for local residents, including educational opportunities.
By investing in community initiatives, biodiversity enhancements and sustainable development, we aim to create a lasting positive impact that extends beyond clean energy generation.
The project will provide a significant community benefit and education fund of approximately £600,000 over the lifetime of the project, supporting local initiatives such as installing rooftop solar panels on community buildings, improving footpaths and funding conservation projects. We are committed to working closely with local communities to shape the fund, ensuring it supports the projects and priorities that matter most to them. To ensure the funding is used in a way that’s most beneficial for the community we want to be flexible in how and when it is distributed, including offering front-loaded support for projects with high initial investment needs.
At our Sawmills Solar Farm site, Ashcombe Village Club Committee have used the funds to build a microwave broadband mast for the community, dramatically improving broadband speeds for residents. The funding has also gone towards a new defibrillator and improvements to the village hall.
In addition to the above, we are committed to supporting the next generations in developing the skills and knowledge needed for a sustainable future. Our Belltown Power Education Programme currently supports 15 schools near our sites, with plans to expand as new projects launch. Over their lifetime, these projects provide site visits, classroom activities and educational resources to over 10,000 children, inspiring future engineers, scientists and climate leaders. We also collaborate with higher education institutes on research, including studies on how renewable energy supports biodiversity.
The Hob Lane project will contribute approximately £1.8 million in business rates to Cheshire West and Chester Council over its lifetime, helping to fund essential local services and infrastructure.
Belltown Power supports local communities by prioritising nearby suppliers where possible. Services needed include construction, materials, plant hire, security, fuel, waste management and local hospitality. We encourage local suppliers to register their business via our project email hoblane@belltownpower.com to explore opportunities.
Public consultation
Review feedback
Submission of temporary planning application
Expected planning determination
Construction and energisation (subject to planning permission)
Belltown Power carefully considers agricultural land classification when selecting sites, ensuring that what’s referred to as the best and most versatile (BMV) land is avoided where possible. Solar farms are typically placed on lower grade land, helping to protect prime farmland for food production. Furthermore, there are no suitable brownfield sites close to the agreed grid connection. A significant effort was also made to ensure the site selected would not border large residential areas to keep any visual impact to an absolute minimum for the local community.
Solar farms can support food security in several ways. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has acknowledged that climate change could reduce the stock of high-grade agricultural land by nearly three-quarters by 2050. Climate change is the biggest threat to food security and by delivering more green energy, we can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate against the effects of climate change. To meet the government’s net zero carbon emissions targets, solar farms would have to take up just 0.6% of the UK land area – this is less than the amount land currently used for golf courses.
This is a temporary planning application for 40 years. Due to the nature of the scheme, the land will be designated as greenfield throughout. We will ensure the site is fully decommissioned and returned to its current state, as per the expected planning permission conditions. The site will not be classed as industrial or brownfield during operation or after the site has been decommissioned.
We are committed to minimising disruption during the construction of all our renewable energy projects. This site will be accessed via the A5117 (HillView Way), turning onto the Common Lane. The construction phase is expected to last 6–9 months, with further details outlined in the construction traffic management plan, which will be submitted as part of the planning application.
Yes we do, as there are several practical barriers to the mass rollout of rooftop solar. Firstly, the vast majority of buildings are in private ownership and there is no way to mandate the installation of solar panels. There is also the issue of scale and lack of available grid capacity. To meet national targets, the UK needs to increase its solar output fivefold to reach 70GW by 2035. The UK Warehousing Association has acknowledged that unused warehouse rooftops could generate around 15GW of solar power, with the remainder set to be delivered on sites like Hob Lane Solar Farm.
A community benefit and education fund is a voluntary commitment by a developer to contribute funding that directly supports local communities. This fund, totalling approximately £600,000, will be made available to local community groups, charities and initiatives, helping to deliver projects that benefit residents. The funding can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as improving local facilities, supporting educational programmes, enhancing green spaces or promoting sustainability initiatives. By investing in the local area, the community benefit fund ensures that communities near the development share in its benefits for years to come.
We are committed to working closely with local communities to shape the fund, ensuring it supports the projects and priorities that matter most to them. To ensure the funding is used in a way that’s most beneficial for the community we want to be flexible in how and when it is distributed, including offering front-loaded support for projects with high initial investment needs.
Belltown Power is an established UK based clean energy company at the leading edge of renewables project development in the UK. Founded in 2013 by a team of highly experienced renewable energy professionals, we have successfully delivered over 20 projects totalling over 200 MW of wind, solar and hydropower capacity across the UK.
We are dedicated to ensuring that our renewable energy projects provide meaningful benefits to local communities. At Verwood Solar Farm in Dorset, an innovative educational programme has been in place since 2014, inspiring and educating young people about solar energy and sustainability. Over 2,000 young people have participated in site visits and workshops, with 43 school groups exploring the solar farm and a further 66 engaging in hands-on activities. These visits are tailored for nursery, primary, secondary and university students, providing real-world learning experiences.
Through interactive site visits, students bridge the gap between theory and practice, learning about solar energy and biodiversity. They have the opportunity to meet solar engineers, gaining insight into careers in renewable energy, and participate in hands-on activities linked to the national curriculum and climate science.
Beyond education, we are committed to enhancing biodiversity. An environmental management scheme is in place to improve habitats for birds, reptiles and invertebrates, ensuring a net positive impact on local wildlife. Annual surveys guide ongoing improvements, while lowland meadows at Verwood now support over 70 native plant species, providing vital forage for bumblebees and butterflies. Bug hotels have also been installed to attract more invertebrates, further enriching the ecosystem.
Looking ahead, we want to build on this success by using our renewable energy projects as platforms for education and engagement. We aim to inspire future generations, ensuring that learning about sustainability remains a hands on experience for the entire community.
