Colbrans Solar and Storage

Innova Renewables are proposing a Solar and Energy Storage facility at land located at Colbrans Farm, Laughton.  

The site would be able to generate approximately 40MW (Megawatts) of electricity, enough to power around 9,614 homes and save approximately 9,634 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.  

The Planning application was submitted in winter 2024 to Wealden District Council. The associated documents can be viewed via the Councils website here using the Planning reference number (WD/2024/2392/MEA). 

The UK has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2050, and has a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035. The Proposed Development would support the UK’s transition to Net Zero, and increase the use of renewable energy through supporting the availability of energy to the National Grid.

The site has been carefully selected and designed through a detailed assessment process considering initially grid availability, available land, environmental designations, planning policy, access, and considerations on landscape, heritage, agricultural land quality, and ecological matters.  

We have engaged a team of expert consultants to undertake site specific assessments, which are currently ongoing. Following the results of these surveys, consultation with the Council and a Community Consultation Event, iterative design work will be undertaken prior to submission of the full application.  

The UK has committed to becoming Net Zero by 2050, and has a target to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2035. This requires an extra 3GW of solar to be built each year. Renewable energy developments like Colbrans Solar and Storage are a key part of addressing the Climate Emergency. The development will serve a key role in this vital transition to renewable energy. 

Wealden District Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019, which made a commitment to pursue effects to reduce emissions for the Council, and for the district to be Net Zero by 2050 (or before).

We have proposed a 40MW solar farm and co-located energy storage to be located land at Colbrans Farm, Laughton.

The development site covers approximately 80 hectares, which includes additional land for landscaping, habitat creation, and access.

The Laughton Levels Solar Farm is located to the immediate south of the site. Beyond this, Kittyhawk Aerodrome is located to the south, and Deanland Aerodrome is located approximately 1km to the east.   

The site has been selected based on available land, availability of a grid offer, and avoidance of national and local planning designations.

Access information

Following feedback received at the Public Consultation Event the revised primary access will now be located off Cow Lane, via an existing farm track located within the Colbrans Farm estate.  A further access point is provided through an existing field access off Darp/Mill Lane to the south-east of the site.   

We have undertaken a number of site specific environmental surveys which will have informed the design and subsequently planning application.

Where can I view the application document?

The associated documents can be viewed via the Councils website here using the Planning reference number (WD/2024/2392/MEA)

Why are there fields with no equipment in in the Layout Plan?

These areas are to be used for the proposed landscape planting and habitat enhancement.