Projects Summary
The Mannington Solar Projects bring together the neighbouring North Farm and Woodlands Solar Farm sites, located just outside Verwood in Dorset. Developed by BayWa r.e. UK Ltd., together, they will generate 47.5 MW of clean electricity, enough to power 13,500 homes, while delivering long-term community, environmental, and economic benefits.
With an operational life of 40 years, the projects will support Dorset’s transition to renewable energy while keeping land in productive agricultural use through sheep grazing opportunities.
Key Facts – At a Glance
- Capacity: 47.5 MW (shared grid connection)
- Homes that can be supplied with green energy: 13,500 - more than Verwood, Woodlands, and Horton combined
- Community benefit fund: £20,000 annually (£800,000 over 40 years)
- Business rates: £55,000 per year (£2.2 million total)
- Biodiversity net gain: +64% (North Farm) and +73% (Woodlands)
- Agriculture: Land remains in use with sheep grazing
- Land area: ~61 hectares across both sites
About the Projects
North Farm and Woodlands were originally developed as separate solar projects and both received planning consent in May 2025. They are now being taken forward together as the Mannington Solar Projects, a coordinated scheme that:
- Shares infrastructure, including a single grid connection point;
- Reduces construction traffic and disruption for local residents; and
- Delivers greater community and environmental benefits than either site could achieve alone.
BayWa r.e. has a strong track record of delivering renewable energy projects across the UK and Europe, combining technical expertise with a commitment to responsible development and strong local partnerships.
Community Benefits
The projects will bring long-term investment to Dorset, including:
- £20,000 each year for local community projects, adding up to £800,000 over 40 years;
- £55,000 a year in Business Rates, supporting local services such as schools, roads, and healthcare, with more than £2.2 million over the projects’ lifetime;
- Opportunities for local jobs and businesses during construction and ongoing maintenance.
The community fund will be shaped with input from local groups to make sure it supports the projects and services that matter most to local people.
Tackling Climate Change
The projects will generate enough renewable electricity to power 13,500 homes every year: more homes than in Verwood, Woodlands, and Horton combined.
By doing so, they will:
- Save around 9,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) per year, with the sites becoming carbon neutral within 3 years and 2 months of being operational.
- Help meet national targets for clean energy, supplying over 15% of the Government’s 2030 solar target for Southwest England.
- Support Dorset’s move towards a net zero, climate-friendly energy system.
Supporting Farming and Food Security
The projects are designed to work hand-in-hand with local farming. The solar panels will be installed above enhanced grassland, which means the fields can still be used for sheep grazing throughout the lifetime of the projects.
This approach means the land continues to support farming while also generating clean energy. It also helps give farmers a more reliable income, making local agriculture more resilient for the future.
Landscape and visual
We have carefully considered views from both public locations and private properties. In addition to the ecological enhancement that it provides, the hedgerow and tree planting will provide some screening to further reduce the visibility of the solar farm.
We have produced our Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) which has been submitted into the planning application process. The LEMP will set out all of the improvement measures that we have committed to and explains how we will implement and maintain them throughout the lifespan of the project.
Enhancing Nature
The projects will not only generate clean energy, they will also make the sites better places for wildlife. Working with ecologists, we are putting in place long-term plans to improve habitats and support biodiversity, including:
- Planting new hedgerows and trees to connect and strengthen local habitats;
- Using wildlife-friendly fencing and creating better foraging areas for birds, bats, and pollinators;
- Managing grassland beneath the panels to encourage wildflowers and insects;
- Independent assessments show the projects will deliver a 64% increase in habitats at North Farm and a 73% increase at Woodlands, compared to what is there today.
These improvements will be carefully managed and monitored throughout the lifetime of the projects, ensuring the local environment is left in a better condition than before.
Shaped by Local Feedback
Local feedback has played an important role in shaping the final design of the projects. In response to community consultation, we have:
- Protected public footpaths and local views with wider green buffers;
- Re-routed tracks to avoid sensitive woodland areas;
- Added passing places to keep local routes safe and open during construction; and
- Adapted landscaping plans in line with local suggestions.
This process will continue as the projects move forward, ensuring the community has a voice in how they are delivered.
Next Steps
We are preparing to submit a planning application for an underground cable route to connect both projects to the National Grid at Mannington Substation. By making a single application, we can reduce disruption and ensure efficient delivery.
If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with both sites generating clean power by 2028.
