Development Consent Order granted for RWE’s Peartree Hill Solar Farm project

RWE has secured development consent for the 320MW Peartree Hill Solar Farm project in East Yorkshire, marking an important milestone in the delivery of one of the UK’s nationally significant infrastructure projects. Solar projects over 50MW are assessed through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process rather than the local town and country planning system. Peartree Hill is RWE's second UK solar project to be granted development consent through the DCO process.

Located east of Beverley, Peartree Hill Solar Farm is set to generate enough renewable electricity to meet the equivalent energy needs of up to 230,000 homes*. The project will connect to the national electricity network via underground cables to the Creyke Beck Substation, helping to strengthen UK energy security through domestically produced renewable power.

Nadine Janecke, Chief Development Director, RWE Renewables Europe & Australia: “Securing development consent for the Peartree Hill solar project is an important milestone and reflects the collaborative work undertaken with local communities, stakeholders and our project team. The project has the potential to provide reliable, renewable power while delivering meaningful benefits for the local area through investment in biodiversity, public access and community funding.”

The project has been shaped through extensive engagement with local communities and stakeholders throughout the Development Consent Order process, with feedback incorporated into the final design.

The project has been designed to deliver lasting environmental and community benefits, delivering more than 50% biodiversity net gain across the site. This includes a new wildflower meadow, native hedgerows, tree planting and habitat creation for local wildlife.

The proposals also include up to 12 kilometres of new permissive paths, picnic areas, educational features and potential outdoor classrooms to improve public access and encourage learning about biodiversity and renewable energy.

In line with RWE’s commitment in the Solar Developers Charter to support local communities, Peartree Hill will establish a Community Benefit Fund of up to £4.2 million over the project's operational lifetime. The independently managed fund will support local initiatives and community projects, with funding decisions informed by local representatives.

Development consent marks an important milestone for the project. RWE will now progress the activities needed to inform the next phase of development, with further updates provided as the project advances.