Wakefield, Cork Solar Farms Gain Conditional Planning Approval

Boom Power's Woolley Solar Farm in West Yorkshire has received planning approval to develop a 29.7-MW solar project spanning 55 hectares near Woolley village, capable of powering approximately 11,700 homes annually and reducing CO₂ emissions by around 7,300 tons each year. Despite objections from over 170 local residents and concerns about impacts on the scenic Green Belt area near Yorkshire Sculpture Park, local councils determined that the environmental and economic benefits, including biodiversity enhancements such as hedgerows and wildflower meadows, outweighed the identified harms. The site, designated as 'grey belt' land under updated planning policies, allows for the reversible installation of solar panels that will support decarbonization efforts and improve grid stability via connection to the Woolley Grange grid node. Councillors and planning officials emphasized the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to cost-effectively maintain the UK’s electricity supply, while also acknowledging the reversible nature of the development and its potential educational and community engagement opportunities. In Ireland, a separate 47-hectare solar farm near Rathcormac, Cork, was granted conditional approval, signaling continued investment in solar infrastructure across the region. These projects collectively represent significant strides toward renewable energy adoption, biodiversity conservation, and local economic benefits despite some public opposition focused on landscape and heritage concerns.