Planning addendum
Since submitting the planning application, RES’ project team have been carefully considering feedback from consultees and local residents. As a result, a planning addendum has been submitted to the Council, which includes design changes and updated assessments demonstrating additional mitigation for potential impacts relating to cultural heritage, ecology and landscape.Some of the design changes made are shown in the attached plan, and include:
- A reduction in the panel height from 3.5 metres to 3 metres.
- Removal of all infrastructure from the western half of field 1* to reduce potential landscape and heritage effects.
- Solar infrastructure replaced with woodland planting to link Park and Lownage Woods, providing a positive landscape legacy beyond the lifetime of the proposed development.
- Removal of solar infrastructure for archaeological purposes and creating more open, wildflower-rich green space.
We are also exploring a range of community benefits, aligned with feedback from our pre-application consultation, that could be delivered should the solar farm receive planning consent. Potential benefits include a local electricity discount scheme providing eligible households an annual discount on their electricity bill; a new permissive footpath providing additional opportunities for walking and enjoyment of the local countryside and a picnic area, creating a new community space where residents and visitors can spend time outdoors.
The July 2025 report† by Wilder Ecology – the ecological consultancy of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust – into the impacts of solar farms on biodiversity shows that appropriately managed solar farms can become nature-positive developments that contribute to both climate goals and biodiversity recovery.
For Boxted Solar Farm biodiversity enhancements are proposed across the site, including new habitats designed to support wildlife and pollinators, and which have the potential to deliver substantial biodiversity net gain. The works would complement the habitat creation and enhancement measures which have been undertaken across the wider Boxted Hall Estate, in recent years.
The proposed solar farm would also play an important role in helping to secure the future of Boxted Hall Estate. Farming has always adapted to changing circumstances, and today's farmers face growing pressures from unpredictable weather, rising costs and changing markets. Responsible diversification can provide the financial stability needed to maintain rural businesses so they can continue investing in the land, the local economy and the environment.
The Planning Addendum can be viewed here as well as via the Babergh District Council website using planning reference DC/23/05127.
* A plan showing the field numbers can be found by clicking here.