Planning Permission for Solar Panels on Agricultural Land

Can you put solar panels on agricultural land?

Yes. UK farmers have two routes. Rooftop solar on existing agricultural buildings — barns, grain stores, livestock sheds — is permitted development in almost all cases, so you can install without a planning application provided the building is not listed and not in a designated area. Ground-mounted solar on the land itself is also allowed, but almost always needs full planning permission: the larger the array, the more scrutiny, especially on high-grade (Best and Most Versatile) farmland. Many farms combine the two — maximise the free, low-risk barn roofs first, then add a ground-mount or agrivoltaic scheme where land and grid capacity allow. The rest of this guide covers exactly when permission is and isn't required, and how to get a ground-mount approved.

Do You Need Planning Permission for Farm Solar?

Whether you need planning permission for solar panels on agricultural land in the UK depends on the type of installation, its location, and the scale of the project. Roof-mounted solar panels on existing agricultural buildings generally qualify for permitted development rights under Part 14, Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended). This means most barn, grain store, and livestock building installations do not require a planning application. However, ground-mounted solar arrays on agricultural land almost always require planning permission when they exceed certain thresholds. The rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and additional restrictions apply in designated areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Conservation Areas, World Heritage Sites, and the Broads.

Permitted Development Rights for Agricultural Buildings

Under English planning law, solar panels may be installed on agricultural buildings under permitted development provided several conditions are met. The panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface or wall plane. The installation must not result in the highest part of the equipment being higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding chimneys). On a listed building or scheduled monument, permitted development rights do not apply and listed building consent is always required. For buildings in designated areas (National Parks, AONBs, Conservation Areas, World Heritage Sites), the installation must not be on a wall that faces and is visible from a highway. Equipment must be sited so as to minimise its visual impact, and panels must be removed when they are no longer needed for energy generation. These conditions are broadly similar across Scotland and Wales, though the specific legislation differs.

Ground-Mounted Solar on Agricultural Land

Ground-mounted solar installations on agricultural land in the UK typically require full planning permission. There is limited permitted development provision for stand-alone solar on agricultural land — generally limited to installations that are ancillary to the agricultural use and below specific size thresholds (typically under 9 square metres for domestic properties, with no equivalent agricultural exemption for larger arrays). For ground-mounted solar farms, the planning application must demonstrate that the site is suitable, the installation is designed to minimise landscape impact, and that alternatives have been considered. Local planning authorities are particularly cautious about solar development on Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land (Grades 1, 2, and 3a under the Agricultural Land Classification system). National planning policy in England states that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, poorer quality land should be preferred over higher quality land.

The Planning Application Process

A planning application for solar panels on agricultural land typically requires several supporting documents. A Planning Statement outlines the proposal and policy context. A Design and Access Statement describes the design rationale and site access arrangements. A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment evaluates the visual impact from surrounding viewpoints. An Agricultural Land Classification Survey confirms the land quality grade. An Ecological Impact Assessment identifies any protected species or habitats. A Heritage Statement may be required if the site is near listed buildings or scheduled monuments. A Flood Risk Assessment is needed if the site is in Flood Zone 2 or 3. Pre-application consultation with the local planning authority is strongly recommended — this costs £600–£1,200 for a commercial pre-app but provides invaluable early feedback on likely planning response. The formal application process takes 8–13 weeks for standard applications, though this can extend to 16 weeks for major developments or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications.

Maximising Your Chances of Planning Approval

Several strategies improve planning success rates for agricultural solar projects. Choosing lower-grade agricultural land (Grade 3b, 4, or 5) significantly reduces planning objections. Incorporating agrivoltaic dual use — such as sheep grazing alongside solar panels — demonstrates continued agricultural activity and supports approval. Planting native hedgerow screening around the site boundary mitigates landscape impact. Designing the installation with setbacks from neighbouring properties and public footpaths reduces visual intrusion. Demonstrating biodiversity net gain through wildflower planting beneath panels aligns with current planning policy requirements. Engaging with the local community early, including parish council presentations, builds support and reduces the risk of objections. Our planning team has achieved an 89% approval rate across all agricultural solar planning applications, drawing on extensive experience of local authority requirements and objection management.

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