Tetra Tech provided planning and environmental consultancy for Thorpe Bank Solar Farm near Stockton-on-Tees, supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy.
We provided Planning and Environmental Consultancy services to Lightsource bp for the installation of a ground mounted photovoltaic solar energy generation system (solar farm) with associated equipment and infrastructure. The site produces energy equivalent to the annual electricity needs of approximately 7,000 average UK homes, with the potential to offset approximately 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Challenge
In an effort to support the UK’s transition to more renewable energy generation, our team undertook the planning and environmental assessment support for Lightsource bp’s project near Stockton-on-Tees.
The main issues for the proposed development included the development’s visual impact on nearby residential receptors, the management of surface water drainage, and the development of a greenfield site.
Solution
We were engaged by Lightsource bp to prepare a planning application for the proposed development, including specialist assessments. Following a topographic survey undertaken by our team, we provided the planning statement and assessments for landscape impact, heritage, transport, arboriculture, and flood risk.
Thanks to our robust assessments and appraisals, our team were able to prove that the benefits of the solar farm were significant enough to outweigh the limited, localised, and temporary harms. The application was made under Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, with Planning permission granted within the 13-week statutory deadline.
At a glance
Client
Lightsource bp
Location
Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham
Services
Arboricultural impact assessment, flood risk assessment, heritage consultancy, landscape and visual impact assessment, transport assessment, planning consultancy
The project featured in this article was undertaken by RPS, A Tetra Tech Company and originally published on RPSgroup.com. In March 2026 RPS rebranded to Tetra Tech.