DPP were appointed to provide Your Energy Sussex (“YES”) with planning advice on a number of renewable energy projects across Sussex. YES is a consortium of local authorities in Sussex, which was formed to promote energy efficiency and sustainable forms of energy production across the County.

Having undertaken a series of appraisals on behalf of the Consortium, DPP were subsequently appointed to coordinate the submission of a number of planning applications for solar farms, scoping the applications, appointing consultant teams and developing schemes which addressed site-specific issues.

One scheme was located on a former landfill site, which meant that careful consideration was required to prevent material leaking from the decomposing refuse, as well as managing the explosive risks. The location of the schemes, all in the open countryside and adjacent to the South Downs National Park, meant that they attracted significant local opposition. DPP worked closely with the appointed consultant team to address the visual impact concerns, amending schemes to mitigate harm.

As the applicant was also the determining authority, increased the pressure for a ‘transparent’ determination and a greater level of public scrutiny than in the case of a commercial scheme. DPP managed this process on behalf of YES and overcome considerable opposition to secure planning approval for all the schemes within the programme