Paytherden Solar Farm Update February 2026

Bluefield wishes everyone in the Parish a wonderful 2026 and we hope that the year went off to a good start. At Paytherden Solar Farm, the team is getting ready to pick up again after finishing the first phase of the construction back in September.

From late February we will be constructing the temporary construction access opposite Lanelands, which will involve widening the existing field entrance and upgrading with hardstanding to allow for construction deliveries. All drivers of construction vehicles will be made aware of the approved transport route and the protocols as agreed in the Construction Transport Management Plan. This access will be removed once construction of the solar farm and substation is completed.

Upon closer examination of the substation access point adjacent to The Old Post Office and through ongoing discussions with National Grid (NGED), it has been identified that the consented access arrangements are not sufficient to meet the specification
required by NGED. To this end, a minor planning application will be submitted to East Devon District Council’s Planning Department, hopefully before Spring arrives. This alternative access will not lead to an increase in traffic from the original consented application, and it will ensure that the temporary construction access referred to above will not need to become permanent. For this application we will need a small additional area of land, shown in the image below. Having this additional land for access will ensure vehicles can safely access the site and minimise disruption to other road users.
Initial design works have been completed, and the team is in the process of carrying out various studies to inform the application. The submitted application and supporting documentation will be available for public viewing on the District Council’s online planning portal in due course.