Oaklands Farm Solar Park
Location near Rosliston and Walton-on-Trent, South Derbyshire
Project Overview
Oaklands Farm Solar Park is a 152.4 MW renewable energy project being developed by BayWa r.e.. Located near Rosliston and Walton-on-Trent, the project will connect to the existing Drakelow Substation in South Derbyshire.
The project received planning consent in June 2025 and is now moving into the pre‑construction and early delivery stages of the construction phase.
This page will be updated regularly with information on construction activity, traffic management, and key project milestones to help keep the local community informed.
If you would like to receive occasional updates by email, you can contact the project team to join the community mailing list:
info.oaklands-solarfarm@baywa-re.co.uk
You can also reach the community relations team by calling 0800 652 5267
Project Update
Oaklands Farm Solar Park is now in the pre‑construction phase, with early preparation underway before the main build begins. We currently expect construction to start summer 2026.
In March 2026, we shared our latest community newsletter, followed by a drop‑in event on 22 April 2026, where local residents were able to speak with the team and hear the latest project updates. You can view the newsletter and event materials here.
Early Construction Activity
The first on‑site work will be the creation of a temporary haul road. This will help keep construction traffic away from local roads as much as possible and reduce disruption for nearby communities. Some of this work will run alongside activity at Drakelow Substation, where the project will connect to the grid.
Non-Material Change application
Oaklands Farm Solar Park has submitted a Non-Material Change application (NMC) to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to amend the Development Consent Order (DCO) granted in June 2025.
The application proposes changes to seven elements of the DCO. Full details are available in our Regulation 6 Publicity Notice, https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/EN010122-000952-Regulation%206%20Notice.pdf
The changes are considered non-material as they would not result in any materially new or different environmental effects, additional land acquisition, or new or different impacts on local residents, businesses, or habitats regulations assessment.
This is a routine step in the DCO process. The application will now be examined by the Planning Inspectorate, with relevant authorities, including South Derbyshire District Council, local parish councils, and statutory bodies such as National Highways, formally notified and invited to comment. This update does not affect current construction plans, with works on the temporary haul road and cable route due to begin in the coming months.
The application and supporting documents are available free of charge on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010122/documents
Representations can be made to OaklandsFarmSolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or in writing to National Infrastructure Planning, The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting reference EN010122. The deadline is 11:59pm on 14 July 2026.
Construction Timeline
Construction is expected to begin in May – June 2026, once preparatory works are complete. The build phase is anticipated to take approximately 20–24 months, with the solar farm expected to become operational at the end of 2027, when it will begin generating renewable electricity.
(Timings are indicative and may change as construction progresses)
Managing Construction Activity
During construction, some short-term temporary changes are expected in the local area. These will be carefully managed to minimise disruption wherever possible.
The construction activity is temporary, and we are committed to minimising impacts while keeping the community informed as the project moves forward.
Full details of the construction activity and transport maps are available on the exhibition boards here.
Traffic Management Group
As part of the project’s continued engagement with the local community, a Traffic Management Group will be set up. Alongside working with the local authorities, this group’s regular meetings will help inform areas of concern, provide an opportunity for updates and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for the local community.
The group will help:
Implement mitigation measures.
Ensure contractor obligations are met as set out in the Construction Transport Management Plan (CTMP).
Suggest suitable changes to the final CTMP bases on the success of mitigation measures.
National Highways, Staffordshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire District Council will be asked to provide representatives to the Traffic Management Group.
More about the Project
The development comprises a solar farm plus energy storage facility covering approximately 400 acres at Oaklands Farm.
The expected generating capacity of the project at this stage is 152.4 MW of solar power, and up to 37.5 MW of energy storage capacity.
The project will connect to the grid via an underground cable to Drakelow Substation located to the north of the site.
Community and Local Benefits
Once the solar park is operational, the project will provide £55,000 a year, index‑linked, to support local initiatives.
This funding will be managed independently on behalf of the community, with decisions made by local residents and community representatives. Our role is simply to provide the funding — not to run the scheme.
We are encouraging people living closest to the site to share their ideas on how the fund could be shaped and what kinds of local projects it might support. You can send your suggestions using the contact provided above.
Construction Opportunities
As the project progresses through construction, there may be local economic opportunities including opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.
If you would like to register your interest and join our supplier database, please contact info.oaklands-solarfarm@baywa-re.co.uk
Aside from community benefits, the project will also include additional hedgerow planting. management and further grassland and wildflower enhancements.
Resources
Stay Informed
We are committed to keeping the local community updated throughout the construction phase.
Check this page regularly for the latest updates at key milestones.
If you’d like to receive occasional updates by email, you can contact the project team to join the project mailing list.
You can reach the community relations team by calling 0800 652 5267
Contact the Construction Team
Please get in touch if you have any questions or require further information.