Pinsent Masons advises on first solar NSIP application submitted to the planning inspectorate

19 Nov 2018 | 03:19 pm | 2 min. read

International Law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Cleve Hill Solar Park Limited on first solar NSIP application submitted to the planning inspectorate

After undertaking extensive pre-application consultation and rigorous environmental studies, Cleve Hill Solar Park Limited submitted an application to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the proposed Cleve Hill Solar Park on 16 November 2018.

This is the first NSIP application of its kind and heralds a new era of large-scale, subsidy free solar generating stations in the UK. The Cleve Hill Solar Park comprises two generating stations, solar and energy storage, each with an estimated capacity in the region of 350MW. That makes it the largest solar and energy storage project in the UK.

Partner, Gareth Phillips and Associate, Peter Cole of Pinsent Masons have advised the applicant since the genesis of the project in 2015. Not only is this the first and largest project of its kind in the UK, it has also been designed to make provision for innovative technologies, including the latest and most efficient east-west aligned solar modules, and energy storage solutions. The proposals include two energy storage options: a battery power pack solution, or a containerised solution, similar to other energy storage sites recently deployed globally. Energy storage and demand side response will help deliver more renewable energy to homes when there is greater demand, allowing consumers to benefit from the competitively priced energy.

Cleve Hill Solar Park Limited’s aim is for the project to be among the lowest cost generators of electricity in the UK and would not require government subsidies. Cleve Hill Solar Park is expected to provide enough affordable and clean electricity to power over 91,000 homes and save over 2.2 million tonnes of CO2. More renewable energy generation is needed to achieve the UK’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% and to support a low carbon economy.

Gareth Phillips, Energy & Infrastructure Partner, said “As the first and largest project of its kind in the UK, the Cleve Hill Solar Park has required a wholesale change of approach to solar park development in the UK. The front-loaded nature of the NSIP regime under the Planning Act 2008, means that this solar and energy storage project has involved a great deal more technical input and consultation than undertaken for similar projects to date. It is a very exciting, novel, and technologically innovative renewables project, and we hope the Secretary of State agrees”.

The Planning Inspectorate has 28 days from 16 December 2018 to formally accept the application for examination. A final decision is not expected to be made by the Secretary of State until late 2019/early2020.

The proposed development site is located on the north Kent coast roughly one mile northeast of Faversham and three miles west of Whitstable, and closest to the village of Graveney, within the district of Swale.

Key Contacts

Gareth Phillips

Gareth Phillips

Partner, Head of Client Relationships, Global Energy Sector

View Profile

Latest press releases

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons part of consortium appointed to advise Nuclear Waste Services on UK Geological Disposal and Waste Repository Projects

Pinsent Masons, Burges Salmon and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer have been appointed to support Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) in relation to the planning, consenting and regulatory work associated with the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility and Low Level Waste Repository. 

Pinsent Masons completes move into new Sydney office

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has today launched its second decade in Australia by completing its move into new offices at 33 Alfred Street in Sydney.

Pinsent Masons announces double corporate partner hire to London capital markets team

International law firm Pinsent Masons has today announced that it has strengthened its City practice with the hire of two senior corporate partners, Nicholas Holmes from Ashurst and Dinesh Banani from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

People who viewed this press release also viewed

Show me all press releases

Pinsent Masons part of consortium appointed to advise Nuclear Waste Services on UK Geological Disposal and Waste Repository Projects

Pinsent Masons, Burges Salmon and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer have been appointed to support Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) in relation to the planning, consenting and regulatory work associated with the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility and Low Level Waste Repository. 

Pinsent Masons completes move into new Sydney office

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has today launched its second decade in Australia by completing its move into new offices at 33 Alfred Street in Sydney.

Pinsent Masons announces double corporate partner hire to London capital markets team

International law firm Pinsent Masons has today announced that it has strengthened its City practice with the hire of two senior corporate partners, Nicholas Holmes from Ashurst and Dinesh Banani from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on

+44 (0)20 7418 8199 or 

Location contacts

We are processing your request. \n Thank you for your patience. An error occurred. This could be due to inactivity on the page - please try again.