Government Approves Huge 700-Acre Solar Farm in Cumbria
Plans for a major solar farm covering almost 700 acres of land near Workington have been approved by the Government.
Dean Moor Solar Farm will be built between the villages of Gilgarran and Branthwaite, primarily on land west of the A5086.
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero granted development consent for the project on July 2, 2026. The decision means construction can now move forward, subject to the remaining conditions and preparations being completed.
Enough Electricity for Around 50,000 Homes
The solar farm will have an electricity export capacity of up to 150 megawatts.
Developers estimate that it will generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 50,000 homes each year.
Electricity produced at the site will be exported through Electricity North West’s grid network, helping to add more renewable energy to the regional power supply.
The Planning Inspectorate’s project description also includes a proposed 100MW battery energy storage system. This would allow some electricity to be stored and released when it is needed by the network.
Where Will Dean Moor Solar Farm Be Built?
The development will occupy approximately 691 acres, or around 280 hectares, of land in West Cumbria.
The site sits between Gilgarran and Branthwaite Edge, around six miles south-west of Workington. Most of the development would be positioned to the west of the A5086.
The land is mainly used for livestock grazing. According to the developers, grazing will be able to continue around and beneath parts of the solar farm while it is operating.
The project is expected to operate for around 40 years. At the end of its working life, the solar panels and associated equipment would be removed unless further permission was secured.
Construction Could Take Two Years
Construction of Dean Moor Solar Farm is expected to take between 18 months and two years.
The work will involve installing solar panels, electrical equipment, access routes and the infrastructure needed to connect the development to the electricity network.
A confirmed construction start date has not yet been announced.
The scale of the project means there may be periods of additional construction traffic and activity in the surrounding area. Detailed controls covering matters such as transport, noise, drainage and environmental protection form part of the development consent process.
Biodiversity Improvements Included
The developers have committed to delivering a biodiversity net gain of more than 10%.
Plans include planting new trees and hedgerows, creating wildflower meadow areas and providing boxes for birds, bats and insects.
These measures are intended to create new habitats and strengthen existing wildlife routes across the site.
Planning and environmental consultancy Stantec worked on the development consent application. Its work covered areas including ecology, transport, landscape, hydrology and noise.
Community Benefit Fund Planned
A community benefit fund is also expected to operate alongside the solar farm.
The fund would provide financial support for projects and organisations within nearby communities during the development’s operational life.
Further information about the value of the fund, who will be eligible and how local groups can apply is expected to be released as the project progresses.
Why Did the Government Decide the Application?
Dean Moor Solar Farm was treated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project because its proposed generating capacity is greater than 50MW.
Projects of this size are not decided through the usual local council planning application process.
Instead, an application is examined by the Planning Inspectorate before a recommendation is sent to the relevant Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then decides whether to issue a Development Consent Order.
The Dean Moor application was submitted during spring 2025. Its formal examination began in July 2025 and closed on January 5, 2026. Development consent was granted six months later, on July 2.
Cumberland Council and local residents were able to submit evidence and raise concerns during the consultation and examination stages.
Developers Welcome Approval
Dean Moor Solar Farm is being developed by FVS Dean Moor Ltd, a joint venture involving renewable energy companies ib vogt and Firma Energy.
Daniel Kiremidjian, head of UK and Nordics at ib vogt, described the approval as a significant milestone for the company.
He said it reflected the work carried out by the project team and its engagement with communities and other interested parties throughout the planning process.
Dean Moor is the first ib vogt project in the UK to secure approval through the Development Consent Order system.
Support and Concern Over Large Solar Developments
Supporters of large solar farms argue that they can increase the amount of renewable electricity generated in the UK and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
However, developments of this size can also attract concern about their effect on farmland, countryside views, wildlife and local roads.
The Dean Moor proposals have been altered and assessed through several rounds of consultation, environmental studies and the formal Planning Inspectorate examination.
With development consent now granted, the project can move into its next stage as the companies prepare for construction.
