In January 2024, RES welcomed South Gloucestershire Council’s decision to consent its 25MW Varley Solar Farm located south east of Cromhall, in line with the case officer’s recommendation. To view the consented planning application, please click here.

RES is now preparing for construction of the project which will be capable of generating clean, low-cost electricity for around 9,700 homes every year as well as delivering a significant biodiversity net gain. A host of biodiversity enhancement measures will be implemented including some 10km of new and enhanced species-rich hedgerow.

A national grid connections reform process has been ongoing since November 2024.  We are awaiting the formal outcome of this process in the form of a “Gate 2 offer” and expect to receive this from National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) in Q1 2027.  This will confirm the project energisation date. Based on ongoing engagement with NGED we are working towards a mid-2028 energisation date.

We will shortly be commencing site investigation (SI) and trial trenching works which will inform the detailed design and procurement process which is due to commence in early 2027 completing by mid-2027. Further information on the detailed project design and construction programme will then be provided. 

The upcoming SI and trial trenching works are scheduled to commence on 19 October 2026 and are expected to take around four to six weeks to complete. These works shall be limited to the working hours of 07:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. Any traffic movements relating to these works will be scheduled between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00 and 16:00 and 17:00 to avoid local school pick up and drop off times. The Public Rights of Way which cross the site will remain open throughout the works. 

The works set out above are an initial phase of activity associated with the approved Varley Solar Farm development. They are being undertaken in accordance with the planning permission and relevant planning conditions, to support the construction and delivery of the project.  

Preliminary access works are currently expected to commence in early December. We will provide further information on these works closer to the time.

If you have any questions prior to or during the works, please contact Carey Green, Community Relations Manager at varley.solarfarm@res-group.com or on 01872 226931.

Community Liaison Group

RES has established a Community Liaison Group (CLG) to provide a forum for discussion and exchange of information as well as to create an effective channel of communication between RES, the local community and stakeholders. CLG members include locally elected representatives and other stakeholders.

Attendance at CLG meetings is for the aforementioned members who, alongside RES, will disseminate information back to and make representation on behalf of the communities they represent.

For more information or to submit a question and/or request further information on a particular topic, at the next CLG meeting, please click here.

If you are a local group representing the community and would like to be considered for membership of the CLG, please get in touch at varley.solarfarm@res-group.com.

Agendas, confirmed minutes and all other related documents for the CLG meetings can also be viewed here.