Information
Kingsway Solar Farm proposal details
The Kingsway Solar Farm proposal includes plans for a solar and battery storage project across significant land near Balsham, West Wratting, Weston Colville, Willingham Green, Brinkley, Carlton, and surrounding areas. With a projected 500 MW of electricity, this project could power about 175,000 homes and would span an unprecedented 1,246 hectares (3,079 acres) of farmland.
The proposal also outlines a 15km grid connection to the planned Burwell South substation, situated just south of the existing substation in Burwell.
Six part video series: Encircled - Our villages surrounded by solar
Video 1 – Industrial Scale: Kingsway Solar Farm as Big as Heathrow!
Video 2 – Wildlife at Risk: Deer blocked. Birds losing cover. Habitats destroyed.
Video 3 – Risks to Our Homes & Families: Fires. Toxic fumes. Water supplies at risk.
Video 4 – Peace and Tranquility lost: Years of lorries. Endless noise. Nights lit up.
Video 5 – Communities hemmed-in: Green spaces lost. Footpaths gone.
Video 6 – Full Circle: The shocking truth revealed: 6 days. 6 videos. 2 hrs of walking every day!
What is an NSIP?
Given the significant amount of electricity production proposed in the Kingway Solar Farm, the scheme is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). If approved, large projects like this could make a significant contribution towards achieving the country’s ambitious targets for net zero and provide greater energy security for the UK in the future.
So what is the issue?
Kingsway Solar Farm is being proposed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means it will be examined by the independent Planning Inspectorate (PINS), with the final decision made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, not local councils.
Impact of the Kingsway development
Concerns are growing over the rapid increase in large-scale solar farm developments across the UK. The absence of a cohesive national policy leaves gaps in planning for their placement and cumulative environmental impact. This fragmented approach often overlooks how these projects integrate with other energy infrastructure, such as battery energy storage systems (BESS). As a result, decisions can lack proper consideration of impacts on landscapes, rural communities, and biodiversity.
The UK has already lost an estimated 50% of its biodiversity, and without careful planning, projects like Kingsway Solar Farm could worsen this issue. Displacing wildlife and damaging local habitats poses a serious risk.
It is important that the developer carries out thorough Environmental Impact Assessments and prepares detailed Habitat Management Plans. They should also include measures such as buffer zones around homes, wildlife corridor, and community benefits like new footpaths and cycleways to help protect local ecology and support community wellbeing.
Further impacts
There are serious concerns in the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal details about the use of high-quality farmland (also known as Best and Most Versatile [BMV] land). This could impact land availability for food production, posing risks to the UK’s long-term food security. It could also affect local jobs, infrastructure and local ecosystems. Questions arise over how the land will be managed during the operation of the solar farm and restored after the site is decommissioned in 40 years. Increased HGV traffic on rural roads and noise and light pollution during construction and operation are significant worries for residents.
Additional issues within the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal details include the siting of battery storage units, protection of water resources and higher flood risks. Although the government prefers using lower-quality land, brownfield sites or rooftops for renewable energy to meet Net-Zero goals, there is no approved framework to encourage developers to choose these options.
Kingsway Solar Farm proposal stage one feedback current stage
The stage one consultation for the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal ran from 31st October to 12th December 2024. This consultation allowed stakeholders to share input during the initial design and development phases. Information events were held in several affected villages, including Balsham and West Wratting.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Your input will help to ensure that any final design of the solar farm prioritises community interests. See our full list of reasons to object.
As part of the stage one consultation, Kingsway Solar Community Action prepared a detailed Report for Residents and Concerned Parties. This aimed to help residents navigate the central areas of concern associated with this proposal, and highlight questions that might be important to them to ask through the consultation process. We also published a summary.
Kingsway Solar Community Action calls for a joined up approach
The Kingsway Solar Community Action (KSCA) group stands among many communities across the UK who are voicing these concerns about large-scale solar. Our combined voices highlight the widespread desire for a national, comprehensive land-use strategy to guide sustainable energy development. Along with these other groups we are calling for projects like Kingsway Solar to be assessed as a whole rather than in isolation.
For more ways to get involved in the Kingsway Solar Community Action group, please contact us.