Kelham Solar Farm

The Kelham Appeal is a Public Inquiry that relates to a planning application reference 23/01837/FULM at “Land To The West Of Main Street, Kelham”. The scheme is as follows: “Proposed ground mounted photo voltaic solar farm and battery energy storage system with associated equipment, infrastructure, grid connection and ancillary work.” The Public Inquiry will be held at the Council Offices and run from 22^nd October. The Core Documents relating to the Appeal can be found on this page. Please note that documents can also be found using this link to the original planning application: https://publicaccess.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=S2MM5BLBKXZ00

Live stream.
Where possible, the Inquiry will be live streamed. A unique link for each day of the Inquiry is provided below to enable you to view only. Please note, should you wish to express your views (at the Inspector’s discretion), this must be in-person.

Wednesday 22 October: https://youtube.com/live/x9nxs6EaSvo?feature=share
Thursday 23 October: https://youtube.com/live/v_XY2du9gBg?feature=share
Friday 24 October: https://youtube.com/live/2amWaxqydWg?feature=share
Tuesday 28 October: https://youtube.com/live/b_NCC-N4mr0?feature=share
Wednesday 29 October: https://youtube.com/live/5z5J-X5US_0?feature=share
Thursday 30 October: https://youtube.com/live/ffUcBXoNbKc?feature=share

Timetable - week commencing 27th October 2025:

Tuesday 28th October 2025 - am - S106 / conditions
Tuesday 28th October 2025 - pm – site visit

Wednesday 29th October 2025 - am – Appellant heritage
Wednesday 29th October 2025 - pm – Council planning

Thursday 30th October 2025 - am – Appellant planning
Thursday 30th October 2025 - site visit

Closings in writing.

1. Application plans/reports on which application decision was made

1.1 Application Form (PDF File, 447kb)

2. Relevant planning application consultation responses and correspondence.

2.1 Statement of Community Involvement (PDF File, 3,335kb)
2.2 Consultee List (PDF File, 87kb)

Third party representations to application.
Consultee responses are listed below. All neighbour/contributor comments can be viewed on our planning application website - click here.
2.3 Conservation Officer 26 Mar 2024 (PDF File, 787kb)
2.4 NCC Highways 31.10.23 (PDF File, 229kb)
2.5 EA 01.11.23 (PDF File, 4kb)
2.6 National Highways 7.11.23 (PDF File, 270kb)
2.7 LLFA 08.11.23 (PDF File, 48kb)
2.10 Conservation Officer 21.11.23 (PDF File, 892kb)
2.11 Natural England 04 December 2023 (PDF File, 151kb) and 2.11A (PDF File, 150kb)
2.12 EH Officer 21 Dec 2023 (PDF File, 9kb)
2.13 TVIBD 13 December 2023 (PDF File, 584kb)
2.14 Notts Fire and Rescue 04 January 2024 (PDF File, 39kb)
2.15 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE 04.01.24 (PDF File, 488kb)
2.17 Historic Environment Officer 26.01.24 (PDF File, 61kb)
2.19 NCC Highways 15.2.24 (PDF File, 210kb)
2.20 National Highways response 20 February 2024 (PDF File, 269kb)
2.41 National Highways response 20 May 2024 (PDF File, 151kb)
2.44 EA 24 June 2024 (PDF File, 6kb)
2.45 National Highways 25 June 2024 (PDF File, 152kb)
2.50 Historic Environment Officer 27.06.24 (PDF File, 60kb)
2.68 Notts Fire and Rescue 04 July 2024 (PDF File, 28kb)
2.73 NCC ROW 11 July 2024 (PDF File, 51kb)
2.74 EH Officer 12 July 2024 (PDF File, 667kb)
2.75 NCC Highways 12.07.24 (PDF File, 227kb)
2.77 Conservation Officer July 2024 (PDF File, 793kb)
2.78 LLFA 17 July 2024 (PDF File, 20kb)
2.79 Natural England 18 July 2024 (PDF File, 922kb) and 2.79A (PDF File, 127kb)
2.80 Natural England 08 August 2024 (PDF File, 146kb)
2.81 Influence Landscape Architects First Review (PDF File, 119kb)
2.82 Influence Landscape Architects Second Review (PDF File, 221kb)
2.83 NSDC Ecologist 17.09.2024 (PDF File, 895kb)
2.84 NCC ROW 17 Sep 2024 (PDF File, 194kb)
2.85 EA 12 November 2024 (PDF File, 6kb)
2.86 EA 19 December 2024 (PDF File, 7kb)
2.87 National Highways comments 5th Feb 2025 (PDF File, 149kb)
2.88 Averham Kelham and Staythorpe Parish Council (PDF File, 3kb)
2.89 Averham Kelham and Staythorpe Parish Council (2) (PDF File, 9kb)

Applicants response to consultation comments during application
2.145 Sanderson Associates response dated February 2024 to NCC Highways (PDF File, 5,581kb)
2.146 Applicant's response to rights of way comments (PDF File, 49kb)
2.147 Applicant's response to Natural England Comments (PDF File, 410kb)
2.148 Applicant's response to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Comments (PDF File, 64kb)

Decision Notice
2.149 Decision Notice (PDF File, 204kb)

Interested party comments – received 13 June 2025
Available to view on our planning application website - click here.

Further documents
2.178 Site Appeal Notice (PDF File, 142kb)

3. Officers report

3.1 Committee Minutes (PDF File, 562kb)
3.2 Committee Report (PDF File, 1,786kb)

4. The Development Plan

Local Development Framework, comprising:
4.1 Amended Core Strategy DPD (PDF File, 15,555kb)
4.1 The Allocations & Development Management DPD (PDF File, 10,347kb)
4.2 Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan (2021): Policy SP7: Minerals Safeguarding, Consultation Area, and Associated Minerals Infrastructure

Local Plans/Guidance
4.3 Newark Sherwood District Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy (PDF File, 2,770kb)
4.4 Newark and Sherwood Landscape Character Assessment SPD (PDF File, 24,776kb)
4.5 Newark and Sherwood Non-Designated Heritage Asset Criteria 2021 (PDF File, 1,628kb)
4.6 The Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (PDF File, 864kb)

5. National policies, guidance, strategy and law

5.1 Planning Practice Guidance
5.2 National Planning Policy Framework (PDF File, 695kb)
5.3 UK Government Solar Strategy 2014 (PDF File, 2,238kb)
5.4 Written Ministerial Statement on Solar Energy (PDF File, 78kb)
5.5 The COP21 UN Paris Agreement 2016 (PDF File, 130kb)
5.6 Clean Growth Strategy published by BEIS (PDF File, 5,316kb)
5.7 UK Parliament’s declaration of an Environmental and Climate Change Emergency
5.8 UK Energy Statistics Press Release June 2020 published by BEIS (PDF File, 495kb)
5.9 Energy White Paper - Powering our Net Zero Future (PDF File, 11,856kb)
5.10 The UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget - The UK’s Path to Net Zero (PDF File, 17,302kb)
5.11 The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution (PDF File, 3,437kb)
5.12 UK Government’s press release of acceleration of carbon reduction to 2035
5.13 UK Energy in Brief, published by the Department for BEIS (PDF File, 9,772kb)
5.14 Industrialisation Decarbonisation Strategy (2021) (PDF File, 7,590kb)
5.15 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Outcome Delivery Plan (2021)
5.16 Net Zero Strategy - Build Back Greener published by the UK Government
5.17 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report (PDF File, 193kb)
5.18 IPCC Third AR6 Report
5.19 British Energy Security Strategy, published in April 2022 by the UK Gov (PDF File, 1,513kb)
5.20 The Climate Crisis - A Guide for LA on Planning for Climate Change (PDF File, 3,786kb)
5.21 Making Government Deliver for the British People - UK Government (PDF File, 1,019kb)
5.22 IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report (March 2023) United Kingdom (PDF File, 5,096kb)
5.23 Powering Up Britain - Energy Security Plan (March 2023) (PDF File, 5,424kb)
5.24 The UK Battery Strategy 2023 (PDF File, 3,809kb)
5.25 IPCC 2023 Summary for Policymakers. In Climate Change 2023 Synthesis Report (PDF File, 5,421kb)
5.26 Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (PDF File, 1,354kb)
5.27 National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) (PDF File, 743kb)
5.28 Health and Safety Guidance for Grid Scale Electrical Energy Storage Systems (PDF File, 948kb)
5.29 Written Ministerial Statement Solar and protecting our Food Security (PDF File, 55kb)
5.30 The Solar Road Map (PDF File, 5,132kb)
5.32 Clean Power 2030 Action Plan

Legislation
5.33 Sections 66 & Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
5.34 Natural Environment and Rural Communities (2006) Act
5.35 The Climate Change Act 2008
5.36 Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended
5.37 Climate Change Act (2050 target amendment) Order 2019
5.38 Energy Bill (HL) 2022- 23 - Progress of the Bill (PDF File, 2,111kb)

6. Agriculture-related documentation

6.1 - MAFF ALC Guidelines (PDF File, 3,886kb)
6.2 - Defra R&D project SP08016 Best Practice (PDF File, 964kb)
6.3 - Natural England Technical Information Note TIN049 (PDF File, 115kb)
6.4 - BRE Agricultural Good Practice Guidance for Solar Farms (PDF File, 4,716kb)
6.5 - Defra Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (PDF File, 15,682kb)
6.6 - Sustainable Farming Initiative (PDF File, 496kb)
6.7 - Countryside Stewardship SW7 (PDF File, 106kb)
6.8 - Forest Research. Potential yields of biofuels per ha per annum (PDF File, 250kb)

7. Landscape and visual-related documentation

7.1 - Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3rd Edition GLVIA3 (PDF File, 22,730kb)
7.2 Landscape Institute guidance
7.3 - National Character Area (NCA) 48 Trent and Belvoir Vales (PDF File, 2,546kb)7.4 - Trent Washlands (TW) Policy Zone (PZ) 11 (PDF File, 9,304kb)
7.5 Planning Application 22/00975/FULM - Land at Knapthorpe Lodge - LVIA and Landscape Masterplan
7.6 - Planning Application 220976FULM - Land at Muskham Wood (PDF File, 29,113kb)
7.7 - Planning Application 2201840FULM - Staythorpe BESS LVIA (PDF File, 9,940kb)
7.8 - Planning Application 2300317FULM - Land at Staythorpe Road LVIA (PDF File, 14,728kb)
7.9 Planning Application 25/01086/Consul - GNR ZTV (Fig 7.1) and LEMP Site Wide Masterplan (August 2025)

8. Heritage-related documentation

8.1 Historic England Advice Note 12 2028 (PDF File, 365kb)
8.2 Conservation Principles - Policies and Guidance (PDF File, 287kb)
8.3 Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 (PDF File, 328kb)
8.4 Historic England - Historic Environment Good Practice Advice (PDF File, 233kb)
8.5 Duplicate of 8.4 Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note (PDF File, 233kb)
8.6 DCMS Guidance Nov 18 -Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (PDF File, 454kb)
8.7 NPPG Guidance on Historic Environment: Advises on enhancing and conserving the historic environment
8.8 Commercial Renewable Energy Development (PDF File, 278kb)
8.9 Non-Designated Heritage Assets produced by the NSDC (PDF File, 1,628kb)
8.10 Principles of Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (IHBC, IEMA & CIfA 2021) (PDF File, 151kb)

9. Appeal Documents

9.1 Appeal Form (PDF File, 50kb)
9.2 Appeal Confirmation email
9.3 Appeal Questionnaire (PDF File, 110kb)
9.4 Appellant's Statement of Case (PDF File, 683kb)
9.5 Appeal Start Letter from PINS (PDF File, 52kb)
9.6 Appellant's Statement of Case clarification (PDF File, 784kb)
9.7 Council's Statement of Case (PDF File, 312kb)
9.8 CMC Note dated 15.07.25 (PDF File, 205kb)
9.9 Council's Supplementary Statement of Case (PDF File, 120kb)
9.10 Overarching Statement of Common Ground (PDF File, 397kb)
9.11 Overarching Statement of Common Ground Update (PDF File, 519kb)
9.12 Agriculture Statement of Common Ground (PDF File, 120kb)
9.13 NEW Landscape Statement of Common Ground with appendices (PDF File, 6,487kb)
9.14 NEW Heritage Statement of Common Ground with appendices (PDF File, 4,178kb)
9.15 Email from PINS re revised Inquiry Dates (PDF File, 101kb)
9.16 Inquiry Notification Letter sent 30.09.25 (PDF File, 183kb)
9.17 Inquiry Site Notice (PDF File, 142kb)
9.18 Unilateral Undertaking (PDF File, 158kb)
9.19 Agreed Planning Conditions (PDF File, 75kb)

10. Appeal comments and re-consultation

The following documents are available to view on our Planning application website.

10.1 Anson J - 1169703 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.2 Anson J - 1169703 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - letter to PINS re appeal 3364181
10.3 Anson J - 1169749 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.4 Anson J - 1169749 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - Green Energy Developments Guidance
10.5 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.6 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - APPB3030W253364181 Kelham Solar & BESS Carla Bradbury Representation
10.7 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - APP 1 - 240113 - 23_01837_FULM-CARLA_BRADBURY-1456079
10.8 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - APP 2 - 240115 - 23_01837_FULM-C_BRADBURY-1532666
10.9 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - APP 3 - Local Area Map
10.10 Bradbury C - 1169178 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - APP 4 - FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION for BESS SITES
10.11 BRITTON N - 1168994 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.12 BRITTON N - 1168994 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - Kelham Solar Appeal
10.13 Brown B - 1169322 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.14 Carlisle T - 1169195 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.15 Carlisle T - 1169222 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.16 Carlisle T - 1169222 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - PHOTO-2025-06-11-10-24-05
10.17 George C - 1167966 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.18 Green K - 1169276 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.19 Harris J - 1169339 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.20 Hinchliff J - 1168827 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.21 Hinchliff J - 1168827 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - Kelham Inquiry 3364181 John
10.22 Ion V - 1161155 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.23 Pickering J - 1169419 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.24 Southey j - 1169459 - INTERESTED PARTY
10.25 Southey j - 1169459 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - 23_01837_FULM-LANDSCAPE_MITIGATION-1529016 js comments
10.26 Southey j - 1169459 - INTERESTED PARTY_(ATTACHMENT) - Kelham response js
10.27 Wolfenden J - 1169269 - INTERESTED PARTY

Further consultations: Landscape Masterplan Re-consultation (31 July – 22 August)
10.28 Public Access Details (PDF File, 2,509kb)
10.29 Archaeology Mitigation Areas (PDF File, 2,039kb)
10.30 Site Layout (PDF File, 2,701kb)
10.31 Landscape Masterplan
10.32 Landscape Masterplan Site Notice (PDF File, 308kb)
10.33 Landscape Masterplan Newspaper Notice July (PDF File, 31kb)
10.34 Landscape Masterplan Cover letter July (PDF File, 209kb)
10.35 Anson J – 1195074 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.36 Anson J – 1195074 – INTERESTED PARTY (Attachment) – Green Energy Developments – Guidance Feb 2025
10.37 Anson J – 1195074 – INTERESTED PARTY (Attachment) – letterto PINS re appeal 3364181 – Kelham Solar and BESS – August
10.38 Britton N – 1194385 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.39 Britton N – 1194385 – INTERESTED PARTY (Attachment) – Kelham Solar Appeal Additional
10.40 Bryan T – 1190030 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.41 Hall P – 1192196 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.42 LLFA Comments APP-B3030-W-25-3364181 1
10.43 Louise McGillian
10.44 National Highways 1
10.45 National Highways 2
10.46 Norris B – 1188588 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.47 Wollfenden J – 1194600 – INTERESTED PARTY
10.48 Wollfenden J – 1194600 – INTERESTED PARTY (Attachment) – Cumulative impact Kelham Solar Appeal 3364181
10.49 Wollfenden J – 1194600 – INTERESTED PARTY (Attachment) Kelham Solar Appeal 3364181
10.50 Landscape Masterplan Consultation Booklet September 2025

11. Proofs of Evidence

Appellants Proofs
11.1 Appellant's Planning Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 669kb)
11.2 Appellant's Agriculture Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 319kb)
11.3 Appellant's Landscape Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 4,244kb)
11.4 Appellant's Heritage Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 1,904kb)
Appendix 1 - HC1002501 Rev 0 Site Location Plan (PDF File, 1,523kb)
Appendix 2 - HC1002 05 29 REV 2 Hedge (PDF File, 456kb)
Appendix 2A - Technical Note responding to comments (Planning PoE) (PDF File, 616kb)
Appendix 3 - Proposed Conditions with Councils comments (Planning PoE) (PDF File, 366kb)
Technical Note Responding to Comment (PDF File, 616kb)
R002v1 EN Andy Cook - Landscape Proof of Evidence Appendices (FINAL).(163172701.1)

Councils Proofs
11.5 Council's Planning Proof of Evidence (including agriculture) (PDF File, 414kb)11.7 Council's Landscape Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 19,405kb)
11.6 Council's Agriculture Proof of Evidence
11.7 Council's Landscape Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 19,405kb)
11.8 Council's Heritage Proof of Evidence (PDF File, 4,926kb)
11.9 Appellant's Agriculture Rebuttal (PDF File, 177kb)
11.10 Appellant's Heritage Rebuttal (PDF File, 594kb)
11.11 Appellant's Landscape Rebuttal

12. Biodiversity Net Gain

12.1 Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment [5,484kb]
12.2 Technical Note Responding to Comments (PDF File, 616kb)

13. Appeals and Case law

13.1 APP.D0840.W.23.3334658 (PDF File, 202kb)
13.2 APP.C1570.W.23.3319421 (PDF File, 352kb)
13.3 EN010101-000888 - Decision Letter - Little Crow Solar Park (PDF File, 339kb)
13.4 APP.H1705.W.22.3304561 (PDF File, 272kb)
13.5 EM010118-001300 Decision Letter (PDF File, 394kb)
13.6 APP.G2713.W.23.3315877 (PDF File, 190kb)
13.7 APP.U2235.W.23.3321094 (PDF File, 256kb)
13.8 APP.L3245.W.23.3329815 (PDF File, 204kb)
13.9 APP.P3040.W.23.3330045 (PDF File, 570kb)
13.10 APP.U1105.W.23.3320714 (PDF File, 216kb)
13.11 APP.L3245.W.23.3314982 (PDF File, 210kb)
13.12 APP.B3030.W.24.3344502 (PDF File, 211kb)
13.13 APP.B3030.W.24.3344500 (PDF File, 211kb)
13.14 APP.B3030.W.23.3334043 (PDF File, 395kb)
13.15 APP.E2205.W.24.3352427 (PDF File, 183kb)
13.16 APP.W3520.W.23.3319970 (PDF File, 240kb)
13.17 APP.Q3115.W.24.3350890 (PDF File, 360kb)
13.18 APP.B3030.W.21.3279533 (PDF File, 255kb)
13.19 APP.Y2430.W.24.3340258 (PDF File, 789kb)

Case law
13.20 Pugh v SoSCLG [2015] EWHC 3 (Admin) (PDF File, 293kb)
13.21 Palmer v Herefordshire Council EWCA Civ 1061 (2016) (PDF File, 134kb)
13.22 Bramley Solar Farm Residents Group v SSLUCH [2023] EWHC 2842 (PDF File, 251kb)

Inquiry documents

ID1 Appellants Opening Statement (PDF File, 421kb)
ID2 Council Opening Statement (PDF File, 132kb)
ID3 John Hinchliff Presentation Slides and Text (PDF File, 1,686kb)
ID4 John Wolfenden Presentation Slides (PDF File, 1,605kb)
ID5 Landscape Masterplan without Red Outline (PDF File, 19,377kb)
ID6 Carla Bradbury representation (PDF File, 39kb)
ID7 Cumulative Schemes Location Plan (PDF File, 430kb)
ID8 Council's CIL Compliance Statement (PDF File, 185kb)
ID9 Isle of Wight Case Law (PDF File, 248kb)
ID10 Cllr Melton notes from verbal representation (PDF File, 86kb)
D11 Additional representation received 28.10 from John Hinchliff (PDF File, 607kb)
Inquiry Document List [17kb]

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