Kingsway Solar has launched a targeted consultation on localised changes to the proposed solar farm, running from Wednesday 7 January to Wednesday 4 February 2026. While the company claims these changes reflect community feedback, a closer look at the proposals suggests this is not the case.
Only one element of the revised scheme: the removal of panels from Area C3, can clearly be linked to community feedback and concerns raised by Historic England. Most of the other changes do not reduce impacts. Instead, they shift or expand development into new areas, sometimes causing additional—and potentially greater—harm elsewhere.
A significant driver of these changes appears to be the under-provision of battery storage and substation infrastructure in the original design. Kingsway Solar now proposes substantially larger Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compounds and substations, alongside new and expanded areas of solar panels to accommodate revised layouts.
Key changes include:
- New solar panel areas in Development Areas A, B and C that were not previously proposed
- Expanded BESS compounds and substations in Areas A, B and C, with much larger land take than shown at statutory consultation
- Relocation of panels removed from sensitive locations into other areas, rather than a reduction in overall impact
- New impacts on public rights of way, including sections of the Icknield Way and other well-used paths
- Additional loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, including higher-grade farmland
- Increased pressure on wildlife habitats, with impacts displaced into areas where surveys have not been done
Further information about these changes are provided on the Kingsway Solar website, including the booklet that has been sent to local residents.
Together, these changes mean the scheme would be bigger and more impactful, although they don’t increase the proposed capacity of 500MW. However, they do introduce new and cumulative impacts on landscape character, access, heritage, agriculture and ecology, some of which were not properly assessed during the statutory consultation.
This targeted consultation therefore raises serious questions about whether earlier consultation responses have genuinely been reflected, or whether fundamental design shortcomings are now being addressed too late in the process.
Everyone is encouraged to respond directly to Kingsway Solar by writing to them via email at enquiries@kingswaysolar.co.uk or by post at FREEPOST DOWNING KINGSWAY (no stamp required). Please copy KSCA hello@kingswayaction.org when responding by email.
The deadline for responses is 4 February 2026.