The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent for the new Longfield Solar Farm near Boreham.

The application included a new solar photovoltaic array generating station, co-located with battery storage, together with grid connection infrastructure.

The site already has a grid agreement that allows it to import or export 500MW of electricity to and from the National Grid.

The scope of the scheme meant it was classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) that required a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State after consideration by the Planning Inspectorate.

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The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited on 28 February 2022 and accepted for Examination on 28 March 2022.

Following an examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 18 April 2023.

The site is a joint venture between EDF renewables as well as Padero Solar, who have developed 25 solar farms within the UK.

Commenting on the process, The Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Paul Morrison said: "The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.

"Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this examination.

"The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State."