Nottinghamshire solar farm to boost biodiversity with new partnerships and rebrand

A new solar park in Nottinghamshire has recently formed several eco-partnerships and undergone a rebranding since its last update.

Developer Elements Green plans to build a solar park that will generate enough clean energy to power all the homes in Nottinghamshire.

Through these new collaborations, the goal is to create a biodiversity “haven.”

The park, now renamed the “Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park,” will dedicate 850 acres of land to positive ecological management.

The development is expected to create around 400 jobs during construction, with an additional 60 permanent roles once the park is operational.

If approved, the project will involve the installation of around 1.5 million solar panels, contributing to the UK Government’s Solar PV target of 70GW by 2050.

The land will feature wetlands, grasslands, and other eco-friendly land management projects designed to benefit local wildlife, with support from the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Trent Rivers Trust.

As part of the biodiversity initiative, 50,000 new trees will be planted to help combat flooding and enhance local ecosystems, with support from the Sherwood Forest Trust.

The RSPB will design new woodland and grassland habitats, and 25km of new hedgerows—longer than the Brian Clough Way—will be planted as part of the project. Additionally, 20km of new footpaths will be created, providing public access to these natural areas in a region with limited countryside access.

The proposed NG+ community support scheme will also provide approximately £1m per year in grant funding to local projects focused on education, food security, energy efficiency, well-being, and the environment.

Currently, in the pre-application stage, the project could begin construction in 2027, with the park becoming operational by 2029.