Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park
Elements Green is developing proposals for a new solar and energy storage park located to the northwest of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.
With a potential generation capacity of around 800 megawatts (MW) AC of solar energy, the scheme has the potential to provide enough clean, affordable energy to meet the power needs of approximately 400,000 homes.
We would like to thank everyone who has provided feedback on our proposals throughout the consultation process, from our first phase of non-statutory consultation in early 2024, to our targeted consultation in Summer 2025.
We submitted a DCO application for Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park on 27 June 2025. The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has reviewed the materials and accepted this application for examination, which is a statutory part of the process for nationally significant infrastructure projects. The examination of the DCO application will commence later this year and will be held for up to six months. More details will be publicised once they are confirmed.
To view the full DCO application, including the Environmental Statement [EN010162/APP/6-4] and the Consultation Report [EN010162/APP/5.1], please see the Planning Inspectorate webpage for Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park here.
Examination Schedule Announced
The Examination schedule has been formally publicised by the Planning Inspectorate following the release of the Rule 6 Letter. Please click here to view the Rule 6 Letter.
The Examination comes following the Acceptance of Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park DCO application on Tuesday 22 July 2025.
The Examination will officially commence following the Preliminary Meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2025. The Preliminary Meeting will focus on how the Examination will be conducted, including the proposed timetable, the format of hearings, and key procedural decisions.
If you wish to participate or observe the Preliminary Meeting, full details of the process are outlined in the Rule 6 Letter. We encourage all interested parties to review the letter and get involved in the Examination.
If you require assistance to register your attendance either virtually or in person, please contact the Case Team at GreatNorthRoadSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or by calling 0303 444 5000. The Planning Inspectorate reference for the Application (EN010162) should be quoted in any correspondence.
The Examination can take up to six months, following which the Examining Authority will have three months to write and submit a recommendation report to the Secretary of State, to inform their decision on whether to grant consent for the project to be built (which will follow up to three months following this receipt of the recommendation report). A final decision on the plans is expected to take place in late 2026.
Further details of our application and of the Examination can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website for Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park. There you will find the Examination timetable, as well as the Examination library.
For further information on next steps, please visit the PINS project website here.
Overview
The Development is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) because the amount of electricity it could generate exceeds 50MW. Click here to find out about the development process.
The Development’s proximity to the A1, historically known as ‘The Great North Road’ was the inspiration for the Development name. Click here for a map showing the location of GNR Solar and Biodiversity Park.
GNR Solar and Biodiversity Park would support UK energy security and contribute to tackling the cost-of-living crisis through the reduction of household energy bills. Click here to learn more about the Development.
Public consultation has informed and influenced the development of our proposals. Click here to find out about the consultation process.
If you would like to be updated as new information becomes available, please register your contact details with us here.