Longfield Solar Farm
- Project Type: Solar
- Country: England
- Location: Essex
Project Status:
Longfield is a consented new solar energy farm, co-located with battery storage
Longfield Solar Farm is a consented new solar energy farm, co-located with battery storage. The project includes grid infrastructure to connect Longfield Solar Farm to the National Grid and any necessary and appropriate environmental mitigation.
We have secured a grid connection agreement which would allow us to export or import up to 500MW of electricity to and from the National Grid. The proposed generation capacity of the scheme means it is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
We see ourselves as being a long-term partner of the local community throughout the lifetime of the scheme. Therefore, we have sought to create a scheme that our neighbours might appreciate for the benefits it will bring at a local level, whilst delivering on the national need for renewable energy.
The site received planning consent on 26 June 2023 and we are currently undertaking some light preparation works ahead of construction getting fully underway in 2026.
Latest on-site activity
We are committed to keeping members of the local community informed about works going on and around the site. This will often include direct communication via letters to near neighbours as well as notices in the local newspapers. We will also post notices on this webpage and these can be found in the project documents section.
Longfield Solar Farm – Non-material Amendment (Order 202 – Nov25)
Longfield Solar Farm Limited has submitted a Non-Material Change application (NMC) to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to amend the Longfield Solar Farm Development Consent Order (DCO) that was granted in June 2023.
The Longfield Solar Farm DCO requires the construction of a large ground-mounted solar PV generating station, associated battery energy storage system compounds, an on-site Longfield substation, and the high-voltage cables needed to connect the site to the national grid. It also authorises works to extend the existing Bulls Lodge Substation and the creation of new access tracks and permissive paths to support the project.
The proposed amendment seeks four changes, none of which are considered to be ‘material’ as they do not give rise to any materially new or materially different environmental effects to those originally assessed, nor would they require additional compulsory acquisition of land, nor would they have new or different effects on local residents or business or any additional implications in respect of habitats regulation assessment.
A copy of the NMC application and its accompanying documents are available for inspection, free of charge, via the Planning Inspectorate’s website or on the below links. If you wish to make a representation on the application, please do so via email to LongfieldSolarFarm@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or in writing to National Infrastructure Planning, the Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN. Please quote reference EN010118 on any representations. Consultation responses will be published on the relevant project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Representations must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 11.59pm on 22 December 2025.
Application documents that contain full information about the amendment can be found within the document section at the bottom of this webpage.
Longfield Solar Farm – General Vesting Declarations (21 July 2025)
EDF Renewables, through a legal order called the Longfield Solar Farm Order 2023, has been given permission to take over land and land rights if necessary. This includes space needed to lay cables, build substations, and create access roads.
To do this, they are using a legal process called a General Vesting Declaration (GVD). This is a formal way to take ownership of land, especially useful for things like underground cable routes, or access roads, or land needed for the solar farm.
A General Vesting Declaration for land adjacent to Bulls Lodge Substation has now been officially made and notices issued. Copies are available to view on the links below and in hard copy at All Saints’ Church, Church Green, Terling, Essex CM3 2PQ.
You can also read an electronic copy here.
Longfield is situated to the north-east of Chelmsford in Essex
Capable of providing enough clean, secure energy to power over 96,000 homes every year, Longfield will make an important contribution to the UK’s future energy mix.
Electricity will be generated using PV panels across Longfield Solar Farm. In the interests of making the solar farm highly efficient, the PV panels will have a maximum height of 3 metres and face south. They will be fixed on support struts driven into the ground.
We are looking to deliver significant biodiversity net gain and will preserve existing field patterns and boundaries, as well as existing trees, in developing the layout of the panels.
The DCO process
Our DCO application, which is the first DCO solar project developed by EDF power solutions, was submitted in February 2022 following 18 months of engagement and consultation with stakeholders and communities.
On 26 June 2023, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero consented our DCO application.
All of the Application documents can be viewed and downloaded on the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Grid connection
To connect to the national transmission network, Longfield Solar Farm will require a substation.
Following consultation with the local community and discussion with National Grid, we confirmed that the connection point will be at Bulls Lodge. This will involve an extension to the existing substation and the indicative appearance of the substation can be seen in the image to the right.
There will also be another, on-site, substation, which we are calling the Longfield substation. This is needed to take electricity from the solar panels and the battery storage system up to the right voltage to be sent onwards to the main connection point at Bulls Lodge substation.
We are working closely with National Grid to ensure a joined up approach is taken and that once construction begins, we work together to keep any disruption to a minimum.
Engaging with the community
We want the project to have a positive impact locally – for the community, for the environment and for the economy. This has been an important focus as we develop our plans for Longfield Solar Farm.
Following feedback from the local community in the consultation stages, we refined our design significantly by taking steps such as reducing the overall site area and changing some of our access routes.
As the project is preparing to start construction next year, a Community Liaison Group has been established. The group is chaired by our Community Liaison Officer, Clodagh, and is attended by representatives from organisations in the area as well as elected officials.
The Community Liaison Group will be kept up to date on how the project is progressing, with meeting agendas and minutes uploaded to the document section below.
Improving skills and employment opportunities
As part of Longfield Solar Farm, we’re keen to have a positive impact on the area and this includes improving skills and employment opportunities.
Destination Renewables, a ground-breaking initiative, has been tailored to inspire a skilled green energy workforce for the expanding renewable energy sector. Designed as a comprehensive 2-year program, the course is geared towards 16-18 year-olds, offering Level 3 learners studying engineering, business, construction, or A Levels, a valuable EPQ qualification.
Pioneered and developed by lead partners Pembrokeshire College, EDF power solutions, and DP Energy, Destination Renewables is being run in Essex in partnership with both Chelmsford College and the Colchester Institute.
Project documents
Latest News
Longfield Solar Farm: Improving biodiversity
EDF Renewables UK has recently launched a new research program that looks at the benefits…