Appeal allowed after Durham refusal overturned
Hare Hill Solar Ltd appealed against Durham County Council’s refusal of the proposals, which were rejected in July 2025 following objections from residents and local representatives.
The Planning Inspectorate acknowledged the development would result in “moderate harm” to the character and appearance of the landscape. However, it concluded the renewable energy benefits of the scheme outweighed the identified impacts.
The agricultural farmland sits geographically between former mining settlements in East Durham, and is currently used for sheep grazing and grassland.
The decision noted that proposed landscaping measures, including new tree and hedgerow planting, would help reduce the visual impact of the development over time.
The proposals include a solar farm alongside battery storage infrastructure, with the developer stating the scheme would generate enough electricity to power around 17,600 homes each year.
The original application attracted 25 objections, including concerns around landscape impact, effects on nearby residents and potential noise from the battery storage element.
The appeal decision allows the project to proceed, subject to the conditions set out by the Planning Inspectorate, and highlights the growing role of renewable energy infrastructure in supporting future development, as the construction sector faces increasing pressure to address power capacity constraints and deliver lower-carbon schemes.
