Current Appeals
Live Appeal - Land At Grove Farm And Land East Of The Railway Line, Bentley
Address: Land At Grove Farm And Land East Of The Railway Line, Bentley (start letter address is Grove Solar Farm, Bentley, IP9 2BZ)
Appeal reference: APP/D3505/W/25/3370515
Dates for Inquiry: 10:00am on Tuesday 20th January 2026 (20th –22nd January 2026 and 27th – 29th January 2026 with 11th and 12th February 2026 in reserve - likely to be held remotely).
Development Description: Construction of a solar farm (up to 40MW export capacity) with ancillary infrastructure and cabling, DNO substation, customer substation and construction of new and altered vehicular accesses.
Venue for Inquiry: Wherstead Park, The St, Wherstead, Ipswich IP9 2BJ.
N.B., Since the Council issued its decision notice, the Bentley Conservation Area has been designated. This site falls within the new Conservation Area boundary.
Appellants Submission
8891595-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE BIODIVERSITY METRIC 4.0 CALCULATION TOOL.xlsx
8890972-Appeal Form-APPEAL FORM.pdf
8890974-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE.pdf
8890984-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE APPENDIX 1 AMENDED SCHEME CLARIFICATION NOTE.pdf
8890985-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE OVERARCHING STATEMENT OF COMMON GROUND.pdf
8890986-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE BIODIVERSITY METRIC.xlsx
8890987-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT.pdf
8890989-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE LANDSCAPE PROPOSAL.pdf
8890990-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 3223-01-03B.pdf
8890991-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 3223-01-03A.pdf
8891125-Appellant's Case-DRAFT STATEMENT OF COMMON GROUND.pdf
8891593-Appellant's Case-APPELLANT STATEMENT OF CASE BIODIVERSITY METRIC CALCULATION TOOL.xlsx
Babergh District Council Submission
8947252-Council`s Case-COUNCIL'S STATEMENT OF CASE
Rule 6 Party Submission
8957003-Appeal Correspondence-PARISH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF CASE
Core Document Lists
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\A - Planning Application
A1 - Application Form.pdf
A2 - Planning, Design and Access Statement (PDAS).pdf
A3 - PDAS Appendix A – Alternative Site Assessment.pdf
A4 - PDAS Appendix B – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.pdf
A5 - PDAS Appendix B – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Supporting Figures Part 1 of 2.pdf
A6 - PDAS Appendix B – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Supporting Figures Part 2 of 2.pdf
A7 - PDAS Appendix C – Ecological Assessment Report.pdf
A8 - PDAS Appendix D – Heritage Impact Assessment.pdf
A9 - PDAS Appendix E – Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report Part 1 of 3.pdf
A10 - PDAS Appendix E – Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report Part 2 of 3.pdf
A11 - PDAS Appendix E – Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report Part 3 of 3.pdf
A12 - PDAS Appendix F – Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy Part 1 of 2.pdf
A13 - PDAS Appendix F – Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy Part 2 of 2.pdf
A14 - PDAS Appendix G – Noise and Vibration Assessment.pdf
A15 - PDAS Appendix H – Transport Statement.pdf
A16 - PDAS Appendix I – Arboricultural Impact Assessment Part 1 of 2.pdf
A17 - PDAS Appendix I – Arboricultural Impact Assessment Part 2 of 2.pdf
A18 - PDAS Appendix J – Glint and Glare Assessment.pdf
A19 - PDAS Appendix K Agricultural Land Classification.pdf
A20 - PDAS Appendix L – Bentley Neighbourhood Plan Design Checklist.pdf
A21 - Grove Farm Solar - Biodiversity Metric Calculation Tool.xlsx
A22 - 3223-01-01 Site Location Plan.pdf
A23 - 3223-01-02a Statutory Plan Sheet 1 of 2.pdf
A24 - 3223-01-02b Statutory Plan Sheet 2 of 2.pdf
A25 - 3223-01-03a General Arrangement Sheet 1 of 2.pdf
A26 - 3223-01-03b General Arrangement Sheet 2 of 2.pdf
A27 - 3223-01-04 Solar Photovoltaic Frame, Panels and String Inverters.pdf
A28 - 3223-01-05 Transformer Station.pdf
A29 - 3223-01-06 Control Building.pdf
A30 - 3223-01-07 Spares Container.pdf
A31 - 3223-01-08a Customer Substation Compound Elevation.pdf
A32 - 3223-01-08b DNO Substation Compound Elevation.pdf
A33 - 3223-01-09a Customer Substation.pdf
A34 - 3223-01-09b DNO Substation.pdf
A35 - 3223-01-10 Substation Compound Fencing.pdf
A36 - 3223-01-11 Site Fencing, Access Track, and CCTV.pdf
A37 - 3223-01-12 Typical Cable Trench.pdf
A38 - 3223-01-13 Landscape Proposals.pdf
A39 - 3223-01-TN01 Grove Farm Solar Response to Consultee Comments 09.07.2024.pdf
A40 - Babergh District Application DC-23-05656 Committee Report.pdf
A41 - Babergh District Planning Committee 05.02.2025 Action Sheet.pdf
A42 - Babergh District Application DC-23-05656 Decision Notice - Refusal.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\B - Consultation Responses
B1 - SCC Travel Plans Response 07.12.2023.pdf
B2 - BDC Arboricultural Officer 08.12.2023.pdf
B3a - National Gas Transmission 08.12.2023.pdf
B3b - National Gas Transmission 11.07.2024.pdf
B4a - SCC Flood and Water 11.12.2023.pdf
B4b - SCC Flood and Water 15.07.2024.pdf
B5 - SCC Public Rights of Way 12.12.2023.pdf
B6 - SCC Public Rights of Way 12.12.2023 Attachment.pdf
B7a - Capel St Mary Parish Council 12.12.2023.pdf
B7b - Capel St Mary Parish Council 08.08.2024.pdf
B8a - SCC Growth, Highways, & Infrastructure 13.12.2023.pdf
B8b - SCC Growth, Highways, & Infrastructure 25.07.2024.pdf
B9a - SCC Highways 19.12.2023.pdf
B9b - SCC Highways 19.07.2024.pdf
B10a - SCC Archaeology 20.12.2023.pdf
B10b - SCC Archaeology 11.07.2024.pdf
B11a - Environment Agency 20.12.2023.pdf
B11b - Environment Agency 26.07.2024.pdf
B12a - Historic England 20.12.2023.pdf
B12b - Historic England 31.01.2024.pdf
B12c - Historic England 17.07.2024.pdf
B13a - SCC Public Realm 20.12.2023.pdf
B13b - SCC Public Realm 15.07.2024.pdf
B14a - BDC Environmental Health 02.01.2024.pdf
B14b - BDC Environmental Health 11.07.2024.pdf
B14c - BDC Environmental Health 24.07.2024.pdf
B15 - Suffolk Wildlife Trust 03.01.2024.pdf
B16 - Suffolk Wildlife Trust Solar Farm Planning Guidance Note for Suffolk 03.01.2024.pdf
B17a - SCC Fire and Rescue 04.01.2024.pdf
B17b - SCC Fire and Rescue 31.07.2024.pdf
B18a - BDC Heritage Officer 08.01.2024.docx
B18b - BDC Heritage Officer 06.09.2024.docx
B19a - Place Services Landscape 11.01.2024.pdf
B19b - Place Services Landscape 15.07.2024.pdf
B20 - BDC Environmental Health 19.01.2024.pdf
B21a - Suffolk Preservation Society 23.01.2024.pdf
B21b - Suffolk Preservation Society 30.07.2024.pdf
B22 - Cllr David Busby 26.01.2024.pdf
B23a - Place Services Ecology 29.01.2024.pdf
B23b - Place Services Ecology 31.07.2024.pdf
B24 - Stop Grove Solar Farm 01.02.2024.pdf
B25a - Woodland Trust 01.02.2024.pdf
B25b - Woodland Trust 02.08.2024.pdf
B26a - Bentley Parish Council 02.02.2024.pdf
B26b - Bentley Parish Council 06.09.2024.pdf
B27a - Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape Team 07.07.2024.pdf
B27b - Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape Team 31.07.2024.pdf
B28 - Tattingstone Parish Council 08.02.2024.pdf
B29 - Network Rail 14.02.2024.pdf
B30 - Natural England 05.03.2024.pdf
B31 - National Grid Electricity Transmission 31.07.2024.pdf
B32 - Michelle Bolger Landscape Consultancy 30.08.2024.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\C - Appeal Documents
C1 - Appeal Form.pdf
C2 - 3223-01-03a General Arrangement Rev A.pdf
C3 - 3223-01-03b General Arrangement Rev A.pdf
C4 - 3223-01-12 Landscape Proposals Rev A.pdf
C5 - 3223-01-12 Landscape Proposals Rev A - with Area References.pdf
C6 - Grove Farm Solar EAR.pdf
C7 - Biodiversity Metric 4.0 Calculation Tool_16.07.25 v2.xlsx
C8 - R001v3_CIR_PL_PB Statement of Case.pdf
C9 - Appendix 1 Amended Scheme Clarification Note.pdf
C10 - Babergh District Council Statement of Case APP-D3505-W-25-3370515.pdf
C11 - APP_D3505_W_25_3370515 Bentley PC and Stop Grove Farm Solar Statement of Case 31 Oct 2025.pdf
C12- Planning Statement of Common Ground.pdf
C13 - UKPN Offer (Redacted).pdf
C14 - Grove Farm Director Statement.pdf
C15 - FW Town Planning team.msg
C15- Correspondence from Network Rail dated 19th November 2025.pdf
C15B-Correspondence from Network Rail dated 18th December 2025.pdf
C16 A1 Appellant Planning Proof.pdf
C16 A2 Appellant Planning Appendices.pdf
C16 A3 Appellant Planning Proof Summary.pdf
C16 B1- Appellant Landscape Proof.pdf
C16 B2 - Appellant Landscape Appendices.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 1 National Landscape and APA Context Plan.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 2 APA Assessment Study Area and Local Planning Context.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 3a Indicative Historic Boundary Alignment.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 3b Existing Hedgerows - Field Boundaries.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 3c Proposed Hedgerow Reinstatement.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11a Viewpoint 1.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11b Viewpoint 2.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11c Viewpoint 3.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11d Viewpoint 4.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11e Viewpoint 5.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11f Viewpoint 6.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11g Viewpoint 7.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11h Viewpoint 8.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11i Viewpoint 9.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11j Viewpoint 10.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11k Viewpoint 11.pdf
C16 B3 Figure 11l Viewpoint 12.pdf
C16 B4- Appellant Landscape Proof Summary.pdf
C16 C1- Appellant Heritage Proof.pdf
C16 C2 Heritage SoCG.pdf
C16 C2- LPA Heritage Appendices.pdf
C17 A1- LPA Planning Proof.pdf
C17 A2 LPA Planning Appendix A - NESO Article.pdf
C17 A2 LPA Planning Appendix B - Existing Agreements Register.xlsx
C17 A2 LPA Planning Appendix C - CMP434.pdf
C17 A2- LPA Planning Appendix D - UKPN Woodlands Farm Letter.pdf
C17 A2 LPA Planning Appendix E - Letter from SCC Highways.pdf
C17 B1- LPA Landscape Proof.pdf
C17 B2- LPA Landscape Appendices.pdf
C17 C1- LPA Heritage Proof.pdf
C17 C2- LPA Heritage Appendices.pdf
C18A- Rule 6 Planning Proof Appendices.pdf
C18A- Rule 6 Planning Proof.pdf
C18B Rule 6 Landscape Proof .pdf
C18B Rule 6 Landscape Proof Appendices.pdf
C18C Rule 6 Heritage Proof.pdf
C18D - 211B - Case Officer - Michael Ruddock - 15 Sep 2025.pdf
C19 - Letter to PINS 10_10_2025 re Rule 6 - 10 October 2025.pdf
C20 - Confirm R6 to Bentley PC.pdf
C21 - cmc notes 4 Nov (002).docx
C22 - Venue and date Notification Letter.pdf
C23 - Letter re Amendments and Consultaion 21.11.25.pdf
C24 - Updated ASA.pdf
C25 - LLFA response.pdf
C26 - Grove Farm Conditions - Draft 1.docx
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\D - National Planning Policy, Guidance, Legislation
D1 - NPPF_December_2024.pdf
D3 - EN-1.pdf
D4 - EN-1 Consultation Draft.pdf
D5- EN-3.pdf
D6 - EN-3 Consultation Draft.pdf
D7 - Climate Change Act 2008.pdf
D8 - 2050 target amendment.pdf
D9 - Clean Growth Strategy.pdf
D10 - Climate Change Emergency.pdf
D11 - Energy White Paper.pdf
D12 - Net Zero Strategy.pdf
D13 - Climate Change Risk Assessment.pdf
D14 - British energy security strategy.pdf
D15a - Powering Up Britain Overview.pdf
D15b - Energy Security Plan.pdf
D15c - Net Zero Growth Plan.pdf
D16 - Connections Action Plan.pdf
D17- WMS May 2024.pdf
D18a - Future Energy Scenarios ESO Pathways to Net Zero 2024_V002.pdf
D18b - Future Energy Scenarios 2025 Pathways to Net Zero V.5_0.pdf
D19 - NESO_CP30_Delivery_Portfolio_final for website.pdf
D20 - Clean Power Action Plan.pdf
D22 - Land Use Consultation.pdf
D23 - Solar Roadmap.pdf
D24 - Solar_Roadmap-_Annexes.pdf
D26 - Appendix_2-_Case_Studies_and_Misconceptions_.pdf
D27 - Section 66.pdf
D28 - Section 72.pdf
D29 - Achieving-net-zero.pdf
D30 - DUKES_2025_Chapters_1-7.pdf
D31 - Draft_NPPF_December_2025.pdf
D32 - Clean Energy Superpower Mission 2024.pdf
D33 - Clean Flexibility Roadmap.pdf
D34 - Progress-in-reducing-emissions-2025-report-to-Parliament.pdf
D35 - NFU Achieving-Net-Zero-Farming-s-2040-Goal.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\E - Local Planning Policy, Guidance and Documents
E1 - Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 - Nov 2023.pdf
E2 - Bentley NP.pdf
E3- Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape Management Plan 2023-2028.pdf
E4 - Printed minutes 23072019 1730 Babergh Council.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\F - Heritage
F1 - Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.pdf
F2- Good Practice Advice in Planning 2 Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment.pdf
F3- Good Practice Advice in Planning 3- The Setting of Heritage Assets 2017.pdf
F4 - Draft CAAMP.pdf
F5 - Commercial Renewable Energy Development and the Historic Environment Historic England Advice Note 15 (February 2021).pdf
F6 - HEAG 268 Conservation Area Appraisal Designation and Management.pdf
F7 - Historic England Conservation Principles Policies & Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment.pdf
F8 - Historic England Statements of Heritage Significance Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets Advice Note 12.pdf
F9 - SUFFOLK-HISTORIC-LANDSCAPE-CHARACTERISATION-.pdf
F10 - Final Bentley Report.pdf
F11 - Bentley CAAMP FINAL with errata 19.12.2025 for publication - compressed.pdf
F12 - 8764020-Consultee Comment-SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL RESPONSE.pdf
F13 - Lichfield's Heritage Report Bentley.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\G - Landscape
G1 - GLVIA 3rd Edition.pdf
G2 - SCH AONB extension desirability assessment Final 31.8.17.pdf
G3 - tgn-02-21-assessing-landscape-value-outside-national-designations.pdf
G4 - National Character Area 82 Suffolk Coast and Heaths https://nationalcharacterareas.co.uk/suffolk-coast-and-heaths/
G5 - Joint-Landscape-Guidance-Aug-2015.pdf
G6 - Shotley Peninsula & Hinterland LCA A Farmer.pdf
G7 - Bentley NP landscape-appraisal.pdf
G8 - Natural Beauty Assessment 24.8.17 Final.pdf
G9 - SCH-Valued-Landscapes-Assessment-30-March.pdf
G10 - NE_Guidance-on-Assessing-Landscapes-for-Designation_June21-1.pdf
G11- SuffolkHedgerowSurvey1998-2012web.pdf
G12 - Extract from Tendring Protected Lanes Assessments 2015
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\H - Relevant Decisions, Judgements etc
H1 - Appeal Decision - 3345132.pdf
H2 - 3330045 Appeal decision.pdf
H3 - Barnwell.pdf
H4 - Forge Fields.pdf
H5 - Palmer.pdf
H6 - Bramshill v SoS, Hart District Council, HE and NT.pdf
H7 - Appeal 3326412 - Land East of Knowle Lane Cranleigh.pdf
H8 - Catesby v Steer EWCA Civ 1697.pdf
H9 - Appeal 3340258 – Land located to the southeast of Bottesford Road.pdf
H10 - Report on the Examination of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan.pdf
H11 - Lady Hart of Chilton v Babergh DC.pdf
H12 - Appeal decision 3349391.pdf
H13 - Appeal Decision 3364628 Ledburn.pdf
H14 - Holocaust museum 2022 EWHC 829 admin.pdf
H15 - Jones v. Mordue and Secretary of State and South Northamptonshire Council, EWCA Civ 1243 (2015).pdf
H16 - Land west of Thaxted, Cutlers Green Lane, Thaxted Appeal allowed 18.12.2023 APP-C1570-W-23-3319421.pdf
H17 - Pugh v SoSSCLG [2015] EWHC3 (Admin).pdf
H18 - Spitfire Homes 2020.pdf
H19 - ED170-Bedford-v-S-of-S-for-CLG-and-Nuon-UK-Ltd-CO99532012 EWHC2847 2013_harm meaning.pdf
H21 - Appeal Decision Halloughton.pdf
H22 - Appeal Decision Telford.pdf
H23 - 3359260 Appeal Decision - Chimmens.pdf
H24 - Appeal Decision Scruton.pdf
H25 - New Hall Lane - 3354032.pdf
H26 - Wandon End.pdf
H27 - Appeal Decision Burcot.pdf
H28 - Appeal Decision Southlands Farm.pdf
H29 - Appeal Decision Cutlers Green.pdf
H30 - Appeal Decision Kemberton.pdf
H31 - Appeal Decision Great Wheatley Farm.pdf
H32 - Appeal Decision Crays Hall Farm, Essex.pdf
H33 - Appeal Decision Bramley.pdf
H34 - Appeal Decision Copse Lodge.pdf
H35 - Appeal Decision Kelham.pdf
H36 - Appeal Decision Honiley Road.pdf
H37 - Appeal decision 3328712.pdf
H38 - Appeal Decision Holly Lane.pdf
Core Documents - Inquiry Version\I - Agriculture
I1 - EADT Article 8 September 2025.pdf
I2 - EADT Article 4 June 2025.pdf