Step forward for 44,000 panel Coventry solar farm

Plans to build a 25MW renewable energy plant on Green Belt land alongside the M6 in Warwickshire moved a step closer this week, after city planners gave a thumbs-up to the scheme.

Applicant E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions submitted plans for the huge solar farm on 125 acres of farmland near Alderman’s Green to the north of Coventry, which straddles the border with Rugby Borough Council, in October.

The application is a slimmed down version of a previous scheme which was thrown out by city planners in March 2024, who decided the proposals would cause an “unacceptable degree of urbanisation” for residents in the Alderman’s Green.

In response, E.ON reduced the amount of panels down from around 60,000 to 44,000, along with a number of alterations to the layout of the scheme.

A compensation agreement has also been reached with a tenant farmer affected by the scheme, according to the planning officer’s report, presented to the city council’s planning committee this week.

In their report to committee, city council planning officers said they were satisfied that any identified harm to the Green Belt was “clearly outweighed” by the benefits of renewable energy generation and the associated reduction in carbon emissions that the development would provide.

Councillors at Coventry City Council’s planning committee rubber-stamped a recommendation to approve the scheme at a meeting on 18 December – but councillors in Rugby will also need to approve the proposals before work can begin on the development, with a decision expected early next year.

Coventry councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said the solar farm would create “much needed” clean green energy to support the city’s climate change strategy.

“It also builds on our work across the city to deliver roof-mounted solar panels including on schools, the Council House, Central Library and many other council-owned buildings,” he said.

“Through our partnership with E.ON we are also investigating how to best support residents and businesses in the city install solar on their properties. And our ambition is to help people lower their energy bills, bring new jobs to the city and support the production of clean energy.

“I know E.ON has worked closely with local people and local views have been vital in helping to shape the now approved plans. This close working with residents will continue, I’m sure.”

Vijay Tank, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions UK, said the firm was “delighted” with the decision, adding that the site formed part of a wider Strategic Energy Partnership between E.ON and Coventry City Council.

“We’ve refined our proposals based on feedback from the community, setting the solar farm further from nearby homes, adopting measures to minimise disruption during construction, and reducing the overall size of the site whilst maintaining its energy potential,” he said.

Plans and documents relating to the application can be found on Coventry City Council’s planning portal using reference: PL/2025/0001922/FULM