Mantle Solar Farm

The development comprises a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array with associated infrastructure including inverters, a substation/control building, fencing, CCTV, access tracks, and landscaping. The installation will connect into an existing 33kV overhead line within the site to export electricity to the grid.

The solar farm spans three parcels of land to the southeast of Wymeswold, Leicestershire, totalling approximately 95.93 hectares. The Western Parcel, made up of four arable fields, is located near a poultry farm and adjacent to Wymeswold Meadows Nature Reserve. The Central Parcel, consisting of a single field, sits directly north of Narrow Lane. The Eastern Parcel, the largest of the three, contains five irregular fields defined by mature hedgerows and lies east of the village.

The substation and grid connection infrastructure are situated within the Central Parcel, directly beneath the existing 33kV overhead lines. The development is designed to avoid sensitive ecological features, maintain public rights of way, and enhance biodiversity through significant new woodland, hedgerow planting, and species-rich grassland. It also includes new permissive footpaths to improve countryside access.

Our planning application for Mantle Solar Farm has been submitted to and validated by Charnwood Borough Council.

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, or in writing (letter or email) to Charnwood Borough Council, Development Management, Southfields Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TN or development.control@charnwood.gov.uk, quoting the application reference number P/25/0782/2. Link to the Application

You can still continue to direct questions to the project team by emailing mantle@exagen.co.uk or using the contact form below.

Latest updates

15 Oct 25
Mantle Solar Farm Update
As a result of public and consultee feedback, we have made further updates to the project layout. The revised plan, outlines the newly proposed design including our comprehensive landscape mitigation measures designed to address potential visual impacts. These measures feature new planting of trees and hedgerows, positioned to reduce visibility from nearby properties and roads while enhancing the surrounding environment. We have also incorporated new permissive bridleways to enhance countryside connectivity.

These changes have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council and can be found here – Mantle Solar Farm Application

You can still continue to direct questions to the project team by emailing mantle@exagen.co.uk or using the contact form on our dedicated project page using the link below.
24 Apr 25
Mantle Solar Farm Planning Application Validated
Our planning application for Mantle Solar Farm has been submitted to and validated by Charnwood Borough Council.

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, or in writing (letter or email) to Charnwood Borough Council, Development Management, Southfields Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TN or development.control@charnwood.gov.uk, quoting the application reference number P/25/0782/2.

Link to the Application
4 Apr 25
Mantle Solar Farm Planning Submission
We have now submitted a full planning application to Charnwood Borough Council. Once the application has been validated, we will provide full details and links to the application where comments can be submitted.

You can still continue to direct questions to the project team by emailing mantle@exagen.co.uk or using the contact form on our dedicated project page using the link below.
28 Feb 25
Post Consultation Amendments
Following our public consultation event, we are collating all feedback and responses to refine our planned site layout.

We will ensure to keep the community informed as we make progress and update our plans ahead of a planning submission.
20 Feb 25
Project Non EIA
Charnwood Borough Council provided their EIA Screening Opinion following our request which confirms that the development is not considered EIA development and the planning application does not require an Environmental Statement be submitted as part of the planning application.
11 Feb 25
Online Webinar
Should you not be able to attend in-person, the project team will host an online webinar, a recording of which will be available using the below link

6:30pm

Tuesday 11th February

bit.ly/Mantle_Webinar
6 Feb 25
Drop-in Session - Wymeswold War Memorial Village Hall
Wymeswold War Memorial Village Hall
Jubilee Room
LE12 6TY

This drop-in event will be hosted by our project team to present the project and answer any questions.

12:00 – 15:00 and 16:00 – 19:00
3 Feb 25
EIA Screening Submitted
We have this week submitted our request for an EIA Screening Opinion for our Mantle Solar Farm. The request is submitted to Charnwood Borough Council with the purpose to ask the Council if they feel a future planning application would need to include a full Environmental Impact Assessment, reported in an Environmental Statement. This is an additional requirement for some planning applications under the Town and Country Planning EIA Regulations 2017. We have provided the council with a site boundary and a report setting out why we consider an EIA is not required. The Council will consider the request and provide their opinion within 21 days.

Despite our view that an EIA is not required we would like to reassure residents that a very comprehensive planning application will be submitted including a Landscape and Visual Appraisal, Heritage Statement, Ecological Impact Assessment, BNG Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy, Noise Assessment, Glint and Glare Assessment, Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Transport Statement and Construction Traffic Management Plan. Input from these studies will inform our final design for the solar farm ensuring that environmental effects are comprehensively considered.

This request is very separate to the main planning application which will follow later. We will update our website again when we do submit our planning application and provide a link to the application page on the Councils portal. It is at that point where local residents can submit representations to the Council about the planning application.

We are holding a public consultation event on Thursday 6^th February at the Wymeswold War Memorial Village Hall 12-3pm and 4-7pm where the project team would be happy to discuss this further an answer any questions. Alternatively please send any email queries through to mantle@exagen.co.uk.

Meet the team

Andrew Mott Head of Planning and Environment
Chris Featonby Senior Development Manager
Sam Warne Community Engagement Manager
Becca Leake Environmental Planning Manager
Will Philps Senior Development Planner

Consultation Materials Download

Mantle Solar Farm 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.