Formal notification of Appeal is now on Stroud District Councils Planning Portal – Appeal S.26/010/APPREF
Planning application S.25/1011/FUL Wheatenhurst Solar Farm Appeal
Fretherne with Saul Parish Council is aware—through informal channels—that the Wheatenhurst Solar Farm planning application (S.25/1011/FUL), which was refused at the District Council meeting on 2 December 2025, has been appealed by the developer.
The Clerk has now been in contact with the case officer, and we can share the following update:
PACE have submitted an appeal, however formal notifications have not yet been issued due to overlap with another appeal inquiry at Stroud. The Planning Inspectorate is aware of this, and notifications will be sent out as soon as practically possible by the Council’s appeals officer. At this stage, a hearing date has not yet been set and an Inspector has not yet been appointed. Once notifications are issued, full details of the appeal—including how and when comments can be submitted—will be made available on the Council’s website.
We understand that ward councillors have also been informed.
We appreciate there is a high level of local interest in this matter. Please be assured that the Parish Council is actively seeking to stay informed and will share further updates as soon as more information becomes available, including how both the Parish Council and residents can respond.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Planning Application S.25/1011/FUL — Development Control Committee Decision
On 2nd December 2025, Planning Application S.25/1011/FUL was brought before Stroud District Council’s Development Control Committee, following the Planning Officer’s recommendation for refusal.
The evening saw a fantastic turnout from parishioners and local residents, all coming together to show their support for Fretherne with Saul Parish Council and Longney & Epney Parish Council in opposing the application. A silent and courteous protest, displaying the familiar “Stop Saul Epney Solar” message, took place outside Ebley Mill before the meeting. To everyone’s surprise (and relief!), all who wished to attend were allowed into the Chamber to observe the proceedings.
The application was the first item on the agenda, and also the longest, with the discussion lasting around 90 minutes. The Committee heard a full presentation of the application, followed by powerful and well-considered speeches from District Councillor Robert Brown, both Parish Councils, and farmer John Bearman. Speeches were also given by the landowner and the applicant in support of the proposal.
The opposition raised clear, consistent, and strongly worded concerns shared widely across our communities. John’s contribution was particularly heartfelt, offering invaluable personal knowledge and years of experience working the land affected. His insight brought a perspective that no map, diagram, or technical report could ever truly convey.
During the meeting, Members questioned both the Case Officer and the Council’s Legal Officer. A key point of clarification was whether SDC would face legal risk if a full Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) had not been completed. The Legal Officer advised that on that point alone, the application should be refused. In addition, GCC Highways and several other statutory bodies recommended refusal, and Natural England confirmed they could not comment without the HRA being undertaken.
The Committee then voted. The decision was unanimous — the application was refused.
The Parish Councils would like to offer sincere thanks to:
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Case Officer Alena Dollimore, for her diligence in reviewing the many responses submitted, and for producing a thorough and detailed 76-page report. She has acknowledged that the quality and richness of the community’s submissions greatly assisted her work.
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District Councillor Robert Brown, for his continued advice and support throughout the process and his excellent speech on the 2nd.
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Councillors Andy Brown (Fretherne with Saul) and Roger Godwin (Longney & Epney), whose speeches both highlighted shared concerns but included additional key considerations for the Committee.
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John Bearman, whose personal experience of the land and thoughtful testimony clearly resonated with Members and helped illuminate aspects that might otherwise have been overlooked.
And a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in any way — by attending the DCC meeting, showing a presence at the site visit, offering advice, submitting comments, taking part in the Informal Public Ballot, delivering leaflets, displaying banners, or sharing information. This outcome would simply not have been possible without the dedication and unity shown across our communities.
Well done and thank you to everyone.
Request for Screening Opinion Proposed Solar Farm and Battery Storage facility (49.5 MW)
Fretherne with Saul Parish Council held an Extraordinary Meeting on the 20th December 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to explain that, at this stage, this is not a planning application, what the Parish Council have done so far, to gauge the level of feeling within the Parish and surrounding area, and to explain what the Parish Councils next steps would be.
The timing of the Request for Screening Opinion had not gone unnoticed and with a respond by date of the 31st December 2024, it was going to be hard work to put together a response especially as there was Christmas and people already had commitments on their time. After the second request in which the Clerk explained that many authorities had stressed that the Parish Council absolutely needed to respond to the Request, Stroud District Council (SDC) Planning Department granted an extension to the 10th January 2025. This was subsequently further extended to 15th January to bring them in line with Longney & Epney Parish Councils deadline.
To update you now that the respond by date has passed, the Parish Council have submitted a covering letter and document in which they strongly request that SDC consider all aspects of the Request for Screening Opinion. The attached letter and document references His Majesty’s Government (HMG) guidelines and legislation which recommend the need for a full Enviromental Impact Assessment (EIA) and would suggest that a Habitats Regulation Assessment is also recommended. These two documents have been submitted to the Case Officer at SDC Planning Department.
Please see the links below to view the documents.
Covering letter to SDC 14th Jan 2025
Thank you to everyone who submitted a comment to the Stroud District Council planning portal, we truly value your comments and opinion. Valuable points were raised by so many people. Please keep checking this page for any updates.
Update: 23rd January 2025
Despite both Fretherne with Saul and Longney & Epney Parish Council’s submitting incredibly strong arguements for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including everyone who registered a comment on Stroud District Councils planning portal, the Case Officer yesterday announced that there is no requirement to carry out an EIA.
Please see documents attached.
Risks for Industrial Scale Solar added 6th February 2025
Update: 12th February 2025
The Parish Council have today received, via email, a copy of the Wheatenhurst Consultation Brochure which is being sent to local residents and details of the public consultation. The brochure informs local residents of Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) proposals for the solar farm between Epney and Upper Framilode and includes an invitation to the consultation but please do share this information with anyone who may be interested in the event.
Public Consultation:
When: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Location: St Laurences Church, Church Street, Longney, GL2 3SL
Time: 15:00 – 19:00
Public consultation:
During our consultation period, we would like to engage with a cross-section of the community so that everyone has a chance to put forward their views.
Wheatenhurst Consultation Brochur
Thank you to everyone that attended the Public Consultation Event yesterday, I do not have the figures, but a lot of people visited St Laurence’s between 3pm and 7pm. Lots of information, thoughts and opinions were shared with the people from Alpaca Communications who were there on behalf of PACE.
1st July – Parishioners were invited to complete an Informal Opinion Poll being held at Saul Memorial Hall. The Ballot papers also asked a few very simple questions and provided space for people to make comments. For expediency it had to be done in person, although
the Parish Council were made aware that, although many were unable to attend due to prior commitments, they were against. The results from those that participated was an overwhelming 99% against this proposal
Of the questions on the ballot paper:
- Do you support the development of this solar farm?
99% said No - Do you want Fretherne with Saul Parish Council to fight this development?
99% said Yes - Do you agree that solar panels should be prioritised on rooftop and brownfield sites?
95% said Yes; 2.5% said I Don’t Know; 1.5% said No - Do you think the country’s food security is a concern? –
95% said Yes; 3% said No; 2% said I don’t know
Nearly 63% felt strongly enough to make additional comments.
Thank you to all those who took time out of their evenings to take part in the Informal Opinion Poll.