The UK government has granted development consent for the Steeple Renewables Project, developed by RES in Nottinghamshire and combining approximately 450 MW of solar generation with 150 MW of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granted the project a Development Consent Order (DCO) on 9 October, following the completion of the examination process led by the Planning Inspectorate.

RES has been developing the project, located near Sturton-le-Steeple, since 2023. Once operational, it will have a total grid connection capacity of up to 600 MW, combining the solar farm and battery storage system.

According to the company, the solar facility could generate enough electricity each year to meet the needs of approximately 180,000 homes, equivalent to around half of the households in Nottinghamshire. The battery system will allow electricity to be stored when supply is higher and released back to the grid when demand increases.

£224 million in local investment

RES estimates that Steeple Renewables will generate around £224 million of investment in the local economy during the construction and operational phases.

The company expects the project to support approximately 400 jobs, while also generating spending with local businesses and business rates revenue over its operational lifetime.

The development will also include a community benefits package valued at approximately £13 million over the lifetime of the project. RES said the programme could include its Local Electricity Discounts Scheme (LEDS), aimed at providing electricity bill discounts to residents in nearby communities.

In addition, the project will incorporate biodiversity net gain measures designed to improve the natural environment across the development area.

Karl O’Mullan, Solar Development Director at RES, said: “This area in Nottinghamshire has a proud energy history and Steeple Renewables Project will build on that legacy by connecting the new technologies supporting the country’s clean energy future. Today’s decision puts the county back at the centre of power generation in Britain alongside economic benefits that come with it.  

“We thank everyone who has engaged with us and helped shape the project over the past few years, including local residents, landowners, parish councils, and statutory bodies. We look forward to building the project with the support of local businesses and supply chain.” 

Six-month examination process

The application was formally submitted by Steeple Solar Farm Limited to the Planning Inspectorate on 14 May 2025 and accepted for examination on 11 June of the same year.

The project then underwent a six-month examination process, during which local communities, authorities, statutory bodies and other interested parties were able to submit evidence and representations.

The Examining Authority submitted its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on 10 July 2026. The Planning Inspectorate said Steeple Renewables was the 115th energy infrastructure application to complete the examination process, out of 183 applications examined at that point.

RES said that during the Development Consent Order process, the company and other interested parties submitted nearly 700 documents, following several years of project development, environmental assessment and consultation with local authorities, statutory bodies and communities.

Following the approval, the next steps will include progressing the detailed design, meeting the requirements attached to the consent and preparing for project delivery.