The Proposal
TotalEnergies has submitted a Planning Application to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for Castle Hills Solar Farm, a project extending to approximately 63.8 hectares located to the south of Birmingham Airport.
In total, the site would generate up to 49.9MW of solar energy – enough to power the equivalent of approximately 14,000 homes in the West Midlands – supported by a 5MW Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) facility. The solar farm is being designed for a lifespan of 40 years, after which all infrastructure will be removed and the site returned to its previous agricultural condition, with a strong emphasis on improving local ecology and wildlife, while reducing visual impact. The scheme spans four parcels of land, with solar panels located across three of these parcels and the second parcel retained solely for biodiversity enhancement overall delivering a significant 67.25% net gain in habitat units.
Each solar panel would be mounted on a fixed-tilt system and made with high-transparency solar glass featuring an anti-reflective coating to optimise energy generation and minimise glare. The panels will be coloured a dark blue-grey and fixed to low-profile steel frames. Supporting infrastructure will include transformers, substations, site access tracks, and storage containers.
The site will be securely fenced with dedicated mammal gates to allow the free movement of wildlife and surrounded by native hedgerow planting to reduce visibility from public viewpoints. Public Rights of Way in and around the site will be retained, with a 10-metre buffer on either side where relevant and vegetation to screen the development and maintain the character of the routes. Special care has been taken to protect heritage assets, with sightlines to the Grade I listed Church of St Peter and Grade II listed Grange Farmhouse preserved in the design.
The project would make a significant contribution to Solihull’s renewable energy supply and support the transition to a low-carbon future, in line with the UK Government and local 2041 clean energy goals.
General Site Layout
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How the proposals have changed
Following submission of the original application in July 2025, TotalEnergies has worked closely with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and statutory consultees to refine and strengthen the proposals. This process has helped ensure the scheme responds positively to environmental considerations, technical feedback and comments raised through public consultation.
The most significant change has been the removal of solar panels from parcels of land closest to the Bickenhill Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Following a meeting with the Council in February 2026, it was agreed to remove solar panels from the four parcels closest to the SSSI – increasing the separation distance between the nearest panels and the SSSI from approximately 100 metres to over 500 metres.
The panels originally proposed in those areas (and from seven parcels in total) have been relocated within the remaining site to maintain the 49.9MW generating capacity and support TotalEnergies’ agreement with the National Grid. Six parcels of land have also been removed from the red line boundary, with one field parcel retained solely for biodiversity enhancements, and the overall project is designed to deliver a significant 67.25% net gain in habitat units.
The access arrangements have also been updated in response to feedback received during consultation. Comments were raised about the previously proposed access route to the eastern parcel via St Peter’s Lane and the track near Hazel Farm. Following further review, TotalEnergies amended the access arrangement so that the eastern parcel would now be accessed via existent access at Church Lane to the north, providing a clearer and more appropriate route into the site that avoids any potential conflict over third-party land.
The substation in the eastern parcel has also been enlarged to attend technical connection requirements and repositioned to the south of the BESS infrastructure, helping to reduce potential visual impact on localised views. The scheme has been carefully reviewed and improved in response to feedback, while continuing to deliver a significant amount of renewable energy – enough to power the equivalent of approximately 14,000 homes in the West Midlands – and measurable biodiversity enhancements.
Parcel 1
Eastern Parcel
Parcel 1 proposes solar panels distributed across several areas amidst a landscape-led design featuring significant native vegetation enhancements. An operational hub at the centre of the parcel houses a water tank, essential control room containers, and the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility. The substation has increased in size to meet technical connection requirements and repositioned to the south of the BESS infrastructure to reduce potential visual impact on localised views.
Access to this parcel is via a revised route using existent access at Church Lane to the north of the site to ensure a safe and appropriate approach.
Three existing electricity pylons are located to the east and northeast of this parcel. The point of connection to the grid is situated within this parcel via an existing or new 132kV terminal tower, subject to final design.
The southwestern corner of the site (covering approximately 3.4 acres) has been designed to be left free of PV panels to avoid impact on the nearby conservation area and to create a substantial landscape buffer from the more developed edges of Bickenhill, including native scrub and reinforced hedgerows .
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Parcel 2
Biodiversity Enhancement Parcel
Parcel 2 is located to the west of the A4545, and to the south of Birmingham Airport.
No solar panels or any other infrastructure are proposed within this parcel. It is retained within the site boundary solely to support the delivery of substantial biodiversity enhancements designed to preserve and enhance the neighbouring SSSI. This includes the creation and long-term management of species-rich grassland.
The retention of this parcel as open land ensures the project delivers a measurable ecological legacy, contributing to the project’s significant 67.25% net gain in biodiversity habitat units. The proposal supports long-term soil recovery and enhances local ecological networks.
Users of Public Right of Way M113 will continue to enjoy an open walking experience across the field, which will be significantly improved by the creation of these high-quality wildlife habitats.
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Parcel 3 and 4
Western Parcels
Parcel 3 and 4 would include solar panels spread across several distinct areas situated to the east of Woodhouse Farm and north of Catherine-de-Barnes.
The southern parcels are enclosed with security fencing featuring dedicated mammal gates to allow the free movement of wildlife and monitored by cameras. To further integrate the site into the rural landscape, extensive screening vegetation, including reinforced native double hedgerow planting, will be introduced along the boundaries.
The design also respects the surrounding environment by maintaining a buffer of at least 30 metres from the Grand Union Canal, while solar panels will be set back from identified badger setts to protect their habitats.
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