Inspectorate to examine plans for huge solar farm
The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed it will examine plans for a major solar farm, which would be the largest in the UK if approved.
The proposed Green Hill Solar Farm facility would cover about 2,965 acres (12,000 hectares) of land south and west of Wellingborough and north of Northampton.
It will also extend to include land to the north east of Warrington in Buckinghamshire.
While the plans were being examined, members of the public, local authorities and other stakeholders could submit representations about the scheme.
The size of the project meant decisions and recommendations for the scheme will be made by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than local planning authorities.
It indicated that the pre-examination period could take up to three months.
Buckinghamshire Council and both North and West Northamptonshire Council have been approached for comment.
Martin Griffiths, the leader of Reform UK-controlled North Northamptonshire Council, previously launched a petition against the plans when he was an independent councillor.
Green Hill Solar Farm claimed the scheme was necessary to help the UK reach its net zero targets.
It said the site would have a maximum power output of 500MW.
The project was initially due to be based solely in Northamptonshire, but the developer said it had identified the site in Warrington as being "suitable" and added it to the plans last summer.
But the firm said it did not "currently have any intention to add further land to the scheme".
According to its website, if the solar farm is approved, construction would begin in 2027 with the aim of providing electricity to people's homes by 2029.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Petition launched against huge solar farm plan
Planning Inspectorate
Green Hill Solar Farm
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- Wall Street Journal
Sustainability Chiefs Are Recalibrating in Bid to Keep Decarbonization on Map
A year ago, chief sustainability officers were taking stages at company events and conferences to present bold climate strategies as a very public face of their business. Now, many are having to rethink how to do their jobs from the backroom. 'It's turbulent times for sure,' said Annette Stube, chief sustainability officer at Lego Group. Recent months have brought a wave of backlash against ideas like sustainability and net zero, with many investors pushing for faster returns, rising share prices and more investment in artificial intelligence. Startups have ditched sustainability language from their websites in favor of terms like 'defense' and 'security,' while other companies tout initiatives in 'resilience' and 'risk mitigation.' Meanwhile, references to 'climate,' 'ESG' and 'carbon-neutral' have dropped from corporate statements amid a general rollback in green commitments. Jim Andrew, chief sustainability officer at PepsiCo, said that when his company was putting together its PepsiCo Positive strategy in 2020, there were a lot of tailwinds driving progress in the sector. Infrastructure, cross-collaboration, funding to address climate change, grid modernization, electrification, recycling and waste management and changes in packaging were among the areas that had support previously, Andrew said. 'Now if you sit here in 2025, those tailwinds have almost universally become headwinds. Infrastructure development is lagging at best,' he said. 'The policy and the regulatory landscape is complex. There hasn't been harmonization, it doesn't enable scale, it's fragmented. There's not enough global participation of companies and countries in moving some of these things forward.' This means that for many CSOs, the first half of 2025 has required a degree of soul-searching—not only in how they go about doing their jobs but also in what exactly corporate sustainability looks like these days. We are going through a period of uncertainty 'where companies are rethinking and recalibrating,' said Ioannis Ioannou, an associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at London Business School who specializes in corporate social responsibility. Ioannou said sustainability had started to become an elitist project, where the language used was too opaque, led by academics, regulators and executives. He said that for ordinary people trying to understand what companies were doing, it had become hard to decipher. 'Ultimately it collapsed because we failed to create a narrative infrastructure [around ESG],' Ioannou said. 'How it creates value both fundamental and broader stakeholders value.' A number of CSOs are now being more upfront about the challenges they face in navigating the energy transition. 'We are having very realistic conversations about challenges associated with energy transition,' said Heather Zichal, global head of sustainability at JPMorganChase. 'Nobody has done this before, there is not really a playbook for how you create and deliver [clean] energy, how we think about market decarbonization. We are going to try some things that work and some that do not.' Others are trying to narrow their focus. Instead of setting wide-ranging goals, they are trying to influence only the areas that are core to their company's business model. For a consumer goods company, where food security represents a material risk, that might be looking at regenerative agriculture. Airlines, meanwhile, might see carbon tax as an issue and target development of sustainable aviation fuel. 'The focus now is on urgency and scale,' said Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at Unilever. Last year, Unilever changed its sustainability strategy by lowering its targets on plastic packaging while keeping its net-zero emissions target of 2039. It also merged the role of corporate affairs and sustainability, sensing that regulations would also likely steer corporate policy in the future and so lobbying directly would be important. 'If you want to make an impact, that is going to be in areas material to the business,' said Marmot. 'You need systems change and scale. You can work on your goals, but you also need a policy angle.' For some, the backlash has actually been a positive change. 'Before, the persona of a CSO was sustainability expert, not business model expert,' said Lane Jost, head of ESG advisory at consulting firm Edelman Smithfield. 'In the last 12 months, the CSO equivalent now has a business operational and finance skill set rather than sustainability skillset.' For others, these changes have led to a closer working relationship with the chief financial officer, where arguing for changes has to be justified on the company's balance sheet. Instead of making an investment because it aligns with your sustainability goals, those investments also have to boost financial performance. 'It's less about promoting the topic and proving the topic's relevancy and instead more about prioritization, integration and execution,' said Sophia Mendelsohn, chief sustainability officer at SAP. Mendelsohn added that the CSO role itself was maturing, with it now more likely to command a profit and loss directive as part of their goals. 'The work still is proving the profitability of long-term value creation and risk mitigation on a quarter-by-quarter time basis,' she said. 'Maybe the questions have gone from the quarterly call to investor relations in one-on-one meetings, but they're still being asked.' One other area of revision has been companies' relationships with external stakeholders. Groups like the Science Based Targets initiative, the Net Zero Banking Alliance and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero have come under pressure in the past year, with some questioning how effective being part of large institutions are. 'I think we are moving from a place where we were putting out very large aspirational targets which did not have too much foundation,' Lego's Stube said. Stube said that companies now have a better understanding of the climate crisis and so being more considered in their approach is a good thing. 'We can't just let companies and everyone else get away with targets that are too fluffy and too stretched,' she said. 'We have to demonstrate that we are actually solving for it and not just talking about it.' She did, however, praise SBTi for its role in setting standards for corporate climate targets. 'It is the only place you can go, really, at this point in time, to know what is a good standard,' Stube said. One area that hasn't changed for CSOs is the challenge of dealing with evolving regulations. In jurisdictions like Europe, authorities are now starting to implement climate-based reporting for companies. Across the pond, regions like California are expected to follow suit. 'It's quite a lengthy process,' Unilever's Marmot said. 'But to the current extent, the more you have standardized reporting the easier it is for investors because you are able to compare apples with apples.' Despite all the challenges, most CSOs remain positive, mainly because they feel closer to company strategy. Zichal said though it 'sounds crazy, I have a lot of enthusiasm for the industry right now.' Her sentiment was echoed by Stube. 'We are no longer sort of advisers on the side, but really integrated in the business, being part of the business' decisions.' Write to Yusuf Khan at
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UK Funeral Plan Market Analysis Report 2025: Gain Insights from 1,500 Adults and 378 Funeral Directors
Discover insights from an independent review of the UK funeral plan market post-FCA regulation. The report examines evolving trends in direct cremation and traditional plans, assessing the performance of funeral directors and firms. Gain insights from 1,500 adults and 378 funeral directors and explore areas for improvement, regulatory concerns, and more. Ideal for industry stakeholders, the 70-page report is available as a digital PDF. Dublin, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Funeral Plan Market 2025 - Sales recovery, direct cremation ascendancy, overtaking Over 50s and the funeral director challenge" has been added to offering. This in-depth report is tailored for a varied audience that includes funeral plan firms, funeral directors, thought leaders, and consultancy firms engaged within the funeral plan sector. It holds particular relevance for new market entrants or any entity seeking to deepen their understanding of the current market environment. The report is available in a digitally designed PDF spanning approximately 70 pages and includes a range of charts and visual data representations to support its findings. An independent review of the UK funeral plan market offers valuable insights into how the sector is evolving following the introduction of FCA regulation. This comprehensive report presents an analysis of the ongoing shifts experienced by funeral directors and funeral plan providers as they navigate the new regulatory landscape. The focus includes a detailed look at how both direct cremation and traditional funeral plans have transformed, highlighting improvements recorded over the last 12 months. The study identifies the prevailing trends that are influencing the future trajectory of the funeral plan industry, with particular emphasis on sales dynamics. Detailed research conducted among 378 independent UK funeral directors uncovers their perspectives on regulation and the sales of funeral plans, providing a lens into the real-world implications of regulatory changes on the ground. In addition, the report delves into the views and attitudes of 1,500 UK adults, shedding light on the motivations behind purchasing funeral plans, their feelings about funeral preferences, and the processes they undertake to select and purchase a plan. It further examines whom these individuals trust to deliver the services as expected. Key areas of concern are identified, particularly where customer outcomes could be enhanced. The analysis places special emphasis on the value and associated fees of long-term payment options, providing actionable insights for firms looking to optimize their offerings. Moreover, the report calls attention to aspects where FCA oversight is advised, notably regarding Over 50s life insurance plans under the Pure Protection review. A significant highlight of the report is its scrutiny of the 'average funeral costs' concept, addressing its potentially misleading nature. It also provides an evaluative review of the current funeral plan propositions from national firms, culminating in a rating system that identifies those offering the safest and most valuable plans in the market's leading categories. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction and Executive Summary 2. Methodology 3. Funeral Plan Market Structure 4. Funeral Plan Market Size and Trends Impacting Future Growth 5. Funeral Plan Regulation - How the Sector is Settling Down and Evolving 6. Funeral Plan Pricing 7. Funeral Plan Propositions 8. Product Features in Focus 9. How Consumers Feel About Funeral Plans - Ownership, Drivers and Purchase Behaviour 10. How Future Purchasers Will Go About Buying a Funeral Plan 11. Over 50 Plan Market Regulatory Scrutiny: Issues FCA Should Be Considering 12. How 'average' Funeral Costs Continue to Mislead Consumers 13. Top Rated Funeral Plan Providers - 2025 14. Summary Conclusions 15. Guidance for Consumers Buying Funeral Plans For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Verizon Teams Up With Nokia To Bring High-Tech 5G Boost To Busy British Ports
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) Verizon Business, Thames Freeport, and Nokia Corp. (NYSE:NOK) on Wednesday announced a partnership to deploy Verizon Private 5G Networks across multiple key logistics, manufacturing, and innovation sites along the River Thames Estuary in U.K. Verizon Private 5G Networks will serve as the technology foundation for a multiyear, multibillion-dollar operational transformation and economic revival for the region, one of the busiest maritime logistics hubs in U.K. The Private 5G Networks buildout provides a scalable, long-term connectivity foundation for advanced data, AI, edge computing, and IoT infrastructure deployments to transform port and manufacturing Freeport has already created 1,400 jobs and plans to reach 5,000 by 2030, focusing on high-skilled training for local communities, the company said in a press release. The Verizon Private 5G Networks will enable advanced data and application capabilities for AI-driven data analytics, predictive maintenance, process automation, autonomous vehicle control, safety monitoring, and real-time logistics orchestration. Nokia is the network's sole hardware and software provider, which will incorporate the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). The Verizon Private 5G Networks will be deployed to DP World London Gateway, DP World Logistics Park, Port of Tilbury, and Ford Dagenham. The move marks Verizon's attempt to unlock value beyond U.S. The stock is up just 4% in the last 12 months as it grappled with weaker subscriber numbers due to competition from AT&T (NYSE:T) and T-Mobile US (NASDAQ:TMUS). Verizon reported fiscal first-quarter revenue growth of 1.5% year-over-year, reaching $33.49 billion, topping the analyst consensus estimate of $33.24 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.19 topped the analyst consensus estimate of $1.15. Total wireless service revenue was $20.8 billion, up 2.7% Y/Y. Postpaid phone net losses were 289,000 versus 114,000 net losses Y/Y driven by price hikes, rival promotional offers, and lesser government support. Verizon attributed some of the loss to lower spending by some federal agencies. Verizon reiterated a 2.0%-2.8% growth in wireless service revenue. It reaffirmed an adjusted EPS of $4.59-$4.73 versus consensus of $4.67. Price action: On Tuesday, Verizon shares edged up 0.64%, closing the session at $42.63. Photo by Karolis Kavolelis via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? NOKIA (NOK): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Verizon Teams Up With Nokia To Bring High-Tech 5G Boost To Busy British Ports originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
