Castle Hills Solar Farm: Community Partnerships

Community Liaison Group

Our Community Liaison Group (CLG) plays a vital role in fostering open communication between the Castle Hills Solar Farm project team and the local community. The CLG provides a platform for residents, local stakeholders, and project representatives to discuss the project’s progress, address concerns, and share updates on key developments. Members also have direct access to technical specialists who can respond to questions raised by the community.

The CLG is made up of representatives from TotalEnergies, local stakeholders, and neighbouring communities, including residents, parish councillors, and local representatives. The membership may evolve as the project progresses. For example, once the site transitions from construction into operation, the group may focus more closely on those communities most directly affected by day-to-day activities.

The group meets regularly to ensure transparency and maintain a strong relationship with the local community. We value the input and feedback from our neighbours and are committed to ensuring that Castle Hills Solar Farm delivers lasting benefit to everyone involved.

The first CLG meeting took place on 23 June 2026 at the Trevor Stevens Suite, Solihull Moors FC. Topics discussed included the planning update and amendments to the scheme, visual impacts, landscape and ecology, the Community Benefit Fund, and construction and access arrangements. Minutes from each meeting are published below.

CLG Meeting Minutes and Resources

Draft and approved minutes will be published here shortly.

Community Benefit Fund

The Castle Hills Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund will provide a fixed annual contribution of £40,000, indexed to inflation, throughout the project’s operational life. This represents a firm commitment to supporting the local area and is not based on a £/MW formula.

The fund will be open to proposals from the local community and will prioritise projects that deliver:

  • Climate and environmental improvements
  • Youth inclusion and education
  • Road safety
  • Cultural dialogue and heritage

Although the fund will have priority themes, the Community Liaison Group will have discretion to support other community-led initiatives where a clear need can be demonstrated.

The Community Liaison Group will be responsible for agreeing:

  • The defined purpose of the fund in response to local priorities
  • The schedule for fund deployment and size and frequency of payments
  • Eligibility and evaluation criteria for fund beneficiaries
  • Reporting requirements for recipients
  • Dispute resolution processes
  • Overall administrative mechanisms for the fund

As the scheme progresses, the Community Liaison Group is expected to transition into a Community Interest Company, providing a formal structure to administer the fund and maximise its community value. The fund’s operation will begin once construction starts on Castle Hills Solar Farm.

The Community Benefit Fund reflects our broader goals to contribute to social and environmental prosperity and invest in opportunities to develop local skills and benefit future generations.