Major Setback for Proposed Solar Electric Forecourt Plans for the Outskirts of Hartlepool..

The proposed Solar Forecourt which was proposed on land at Whelly Hill Farm on the outskirts of Hartlepool

Plans for the Solar Electric Forecourt were thrown out by councillors who met at the most recent Council Planning Committie, however sources claim an appeal on the decision may be looming ...

14th March 2025

Plans for a new Solar Electric Forecourt on the outskirts of Hartlepool have hit a major stumbling block after councillors at Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committe refused the application outright this week.

How the proposed site would have looked according to the planning statement

The proposed development at Whelly Hill Farm was rejected due to concerns that increased traffic to and from the forecourt would negatively impact highway safety and exacerbate congestion on the A179. Councillors cited Policy QP3 of the Hartlepool Local Plan 2018, which prioritizes the minimization of adverse effects on road networks.

The Developers and Their Vision

GRIDSERVE, a UK-based developer specialising in low-cost, clean energy solutions, was behind the proposals. The company is said to have a long history in solar energy and battery storage, with its roots tracing back over 40 years to pioneering solar energy projects in Saudi Arabia.

The vision for Hartlepool's West Solar Electric Forecourt was said to jhave been an ambitious state-of-the-art charging facility designed to promote sustainable travel whilst reducing carbon emissions in the region.

The planned site at Whelly Hill Farm, TS27 3BH, would have spanned an extensive 88.7 hectares, with the Electric Forecourt itself set to occupy just under a hectare, the wider hybrid solar farm, incorporating solar PV development and battery storage, would have covered approximately 87 hectares, with the location conveniently situated near to major transport routes, such as the A19 & A179, which connect Hartlepool to Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and further afield to Durham and Newcastle.

Local Concerns and Council’s Decision

The A179 is already said to be facing some major conjestion issues at peak times.

Despite the environmental benefits promised by the project, the plans faced some strong local opposition, with it being reported that no less than 15 formal objections were lodged against the development. Many objections centered on the already overburdened road network, particularly at peak times when congestion on the A179 is a longstanding issue.

Councillors ultimately sided with the objectors, voicing serious concerns about the additional strain the development could place on Hartlepool’s existing road infrastructure. The planning committee’s decision underscores growing apprehension over whether local roads can now accommodate major new projects without substantial upgrades, however critics havehit back at this claiming the councils decision appears to change tone considerably if the proposals turn to housing developments....

Is This the End of the Road....?...... Perhaps Not !

Whilst the council’s rejection may seem like a decisive blow, HBC Exposed understands that this may not be the final chapter in the saga. Several similar developments in the area have initially been refused by Hartlepool Borough Council, only to be later approved by the government’s Planning Inspectorate on appeal, leading some to believe that GRIDSERVE may opt to challenge the decision.

If an appeal is lodged, the final say on whether the Solar Electric Forecourt goes ahead may then ultimately rest with central government rather than local representatives.