Highfield Energy Park

Public consultation

Exagen is seeking to develop a renewable energy project comprising a ground mounted solar photovoltaics (PV) array with co-located battery storage at the point of connection into the existing 66kV overhead line between Coalburns and Hexham.

The main solar farm is located on land around Highfield Farm, southwest of Whittonstall with the battery storage and point of connection infrastructure located northwest of Whittonstall. The two will be connected via a buried cable that will largely follow the shortest route.

We are seeking your views on this proposal ahead of submitting a formal planning application to Northumberland County Council. The land available for development is currently larger that what is required, we are consulting and undertaking environmental assessments to determine the most suitable land.

This project website will keep members of the local community updated and facilitate feedback. We will also hold an online public consultation event and public exhibitions, details can be found here.

Latest updates

  1. 14 Jan 26

    Appeal Submission

    Exagen Development Limited (the ‘Applicant’) has submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, against the refusal by Northumberland County Council for the Highfield Energy Park situated on Land at Whittonstall, Consett, Northumberland, DH8 9LQ.

    PINS have issued the start letter for the appeal which confirms the appeal will follow the written representations procedure. The key dates set out within the letter are:

    21st January – Deadline for LPA to submit their appeal questionnaire

    18th February – Deadline for LPA to submit their appeal statement and any representations from the public

    4th March – Deadline for Appellant and LPA to comment on public representations and the Appellant to comment on the LPA appeal statement.

    There is no anticipated decision date provided.

    Any questions regarding the development can continue to be directed to the project team: highfieldenergypark@exagen.co.uk

    For a link to the original application page with Northumberland County Council, which now includes all appeal documents, click here

    PINS Reference Number: APP/P2935/W/25/3376986

  2. 5 Aug 25

    Northumberland County Council Refusal

    Planning Application refused on 5th August 2025.

    Planning Application Number: 23/01717/FUL

  3. 7 Nov 24

    Amendment to planning application 23/01717/FUL

    Exagen have made amendments to the application and resubmitted documents to Northumberland County Council under application number 23/01717/FUL.

    The key updates are:

    The relocation of the BESS from the northern site (which will now just host the substation and Point of Connection (POC)) to the main site, with this infrastructure now located in the northern part of the solar farm.

    The new BESS compound is outside the Green Belt and has been designed to be compliant with the NFCC Safety Guidance.

    The drainage strategy has been updated and covers infrastructure in the northern site (substation) and the main site (solar farm and BESS compound).

    The layout of the solar panels has been considered and updated in line with improved panel technology and efficiency, this has resulted in a 10% reduction in panels allowing for increased offsets from boundary features.

    Any questions regarding the development can continue to be directed to the project team: highfieldenergypark@exagen.co.uk

    For a link to the application website click here 23/01717/FUL

    →

  4. 30 May 23

    Confirmation of application

    Letter of Acknowledgment confirming validation of our application from Northumberland County Council. Our application reference number is 23/01717/FUL and the link to the application here.Exagen have made amendments to the application and resubmitted documents to Northumberland County Council under application number 23/01717/FUL.

    Any representations or comments on the application from interested parties should be submitted directly to the Council using the online form under the ‘Comments’ section on the application link, or in writing by letter (Northumberland County Council, Development Management, Development Services, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF) or email (planning@northumberland.gov.uk) quoting the application reference number. These should ideally be provided by the 21st June 2023.

    Any questions regarding the development or suggestions around community initiatives can continue to be directed to the project team: highfieldenergypark@exagen.co.uk

     

    Link to application →

  5. 3 May 23

    Planning application submitted

    Planning application submitted.

  6. 2 Nov 22

    Q&A Session

    Whittonstall Village Highfield

    Wednesday, 2nd November, 7:30 – 8:30pm

    St Philip & St James Church
    Whittonstall, Consett DH8 9JU

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  8. 27 Oct 22

    Public Exhibition

    The Snods Community Hall – Main Hall

    Snods Edge, Shotley Bridge, Consett, Co Durham DH8 9TJ

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  9. 26 Oct 22

    Public Exhibition

    Stocksfield Community Centre – Richardson Room
    Mount View Terrace, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7HL

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Benefits

Solar

40MW

The solar farm will have an export capacity of 40MW.

Powering homes

17,700

Generating approximately 52,000MWh per year, the equivalent to the electricity usage of approximately 17,700 UK homes

Battery Storage

12.5MW

The battery will have an installed capacity of up to 12.5MW, delivering power at the most beneficial times.

Biodiversity

85%

The project will maximise opportunities for biodiversity enhancement delivering a net gain of more than 85%

Hexagon shape

Meet the team

  • Andrew Mott Head of Planning and Environment

  • Sam Warne Community Engagement Manager

  • Adam Tomkins Project Manager

  • Will Philps Senior Development Planner

Webinar / Consultation material

Contact

Your feedback is very important to us. Please feel free to contact us here, quoting the name of the project you are referring to and one of our project team will get back to you as soon as possible.

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