Click here to object to Lightrock's Beane Valley Solar Farm planning application
Munches Farm Solar Farm and Battery Storage Plant - Cumberlow Green, Westfield Energy Conservation ParK
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The Latest Threat to Our Valley
The planning application has now been submitted by Lightrock Power Limited that could reshape the Beane Valley as we know it. Lightrock Power Ltd planning application is to build a vast solar and battery installation at Munches Farm, Cumberlow Green, Hertfordshire. directly beside the already controversial Beane Valley Solar Farm. This new proposal marks a turning point, if approved, it would create one of the largest energy zones in Hertfordshire, replacing open countryside with industrial infrastructure.
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The plan includes extensive solar photovoltaic arrays and a containerised battery storage compound, along with associated infrastructure, and site access development. The development footprint is approximately 465 acres of greenfield land (former arable farmland on Munches Farm), making it one of the largest renewable energy projects in the county. No official capacity figures are published yet but based on scale it is expected to generate on the order of 100+ MW of solar power, with a large-scale battery facility for energy storage.
The deadline to object to this planning application is: 31st October 2025
Submit your objection and comments directly to North Herts Council here.
Current Number of Objections to the Lightrock Beane Valley Solar Farm Planning Application: 175.
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​​​​Join us to keep up to date with all the latest news regarding the Munches Solar Plant planning application.
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​Let us ensure that our community voice is heard and our concerns are taken into account before any irreversible damage is done, please sign the community petition to protect the Beane Valley.
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Our community is raising funds to support the campaign against the Beane Valley Solar Farm planning applications. Your contributions will go towards essential costs such as community outreach efforts, environmental impact assessments and legal fees. Every donation, no matter how small, helps protect the Beane Valley.
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The Munches Farm Solar Farm Planning Application
The Munches Farm Solar Farm located at Cumberlow Green, Westfield Energy Conservation Park, is a planning proposal on prime agricultural farmland and the nature of the landscape will make it highly visible. Why here?​
The proposal will have an operational lifespan of 40 years, after which the site will be decommissioned.
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The Westfield Energy Conservation Park proposed solar development is located within the blue shaded area on the map opposite and is approximately 465 acres of land.
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The solar farm developer, Lightrock Power Limited, has chosen this site because it is a low cost option to connect to the electricity network and is suitable for the rapid construction of large scale ground mounted solar panels and battery storage infrastructure. This is not a good enough reason and planning officers must refuse planning permission due to the significantly harmful impact it would have on the landscape.
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Energy generated by the solar farm would be fed into the national grid rather than directly benefiting local residents.
Objection Reasons to Westfield Energy Conservation Park - Munches Solar Farm Planning Application
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Protected Heritage Assets
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Local Landscape/Visual impact rolling hills
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Wildlife routes
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Red list birds
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Countryside Stewardship Scheme
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High quality agricultural land
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Land Gradient, North slopes
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Increased Flood risk
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Rising local water tables
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Chalk Stream
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High Ground water Vulnerability to Pollutants as designated by the BGS.
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Current road access
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New road access
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Transport impacts during construction on A507 HGV Ban.
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Next to Residential Housing
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Noise - inverters & Batteries
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Permanent Development
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Greenfield site
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Land regrading / Soil Removal
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Land beyond Green Belt
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Solar Panel disposal
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Battery Fires
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Oversized development only 210 Acres for 50MW
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Drinking Water Safeguard zone
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Cycle Route 10
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Impact on Tourism and Local Business
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No Benefit to local Community - loss of rural amenities.
“Deciding to Act May Take a While; Much Longer Than the Action Itself.”
Working Together to Protect Rural Landscapes, Wildlife & Residents