BOOM Power welcomes the High Court’s decision to dismiss a legal challenge brought against Wakefield Metropolitan District Council’s granting of planning consent for the Woolley Solar Farm, confirming the robustness of the original planning decision and the lawfulness of the Council’s process.
The judgment relates to the proposed solar development near Woolley Grange, east of Bretton Hall, which received approval in August 2025. The scheme covers approximately 51 hectares of land and forms part of wider efforts to deliver low-carbon energy infrastructure within carefully considered environmental and planning parameters.
A local resident had sought to overturn the Council’s decision on a range of grounds, including concerns around heritage assessment and alleged procedural issues following amendments to the application and updates to national planning policy, including the introduction of the 'grey belt' classification within the revised National Planning Policy Framework.
The claimant argued that the Council should have reopened consultation following changes made to the application in early 2025 and the subsequent policy updates. However, the Court found no legal requirement for further consultation, noting that interested parties had already been given sufficient opportunity to engage with the revised proposals and relevant policy context during the decision-making process.
The Court also considered arguments relating to heritage impacts on the nearby Grade II listed Bretton Hall Registered Park and Garden. While acknowledging that some wording within the Council’s report could have been clearer, the judge concluded that this did not amount to a legal error and did not undermine the validity of the planning decision.
In dismissing the claim, the Court confirmed that the Council acted lawfully and that the planning consent for Woolley Solar Farm remains valid.
Mark Hogan, Founder of BOOM Power, said: 'We welcome the Court’s decision, which provides further certainty for the Woolley Solar Farm project and confirms the robustness of the planning process. This is an important scheme that will contribute to the UK’s renewable energy capacity and net zero ambitions, following a thorough and properly tested planning determination. We are currently awaiting confirmation of grid connection dates and are hopeful these can be brought forward from current estimates, given the urgent need for additional energy generation across the UK.'
BOOM Power remains committed to working closely with stakeholders to deliver the project responsibly and in accordance with all planning conditions and environmental commitments.
Source: BOOM Power
