Foot Anstey’s Energy and Infrastructure team supports on landmark project set to support the UK’s clean energy transition

National law firm Foot Anstey has advised international renewable energy developer Elements Green on all real estate aspects of its proposed Great North Road Solar & Biodiversity Park (GNR) – a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) located to the northwest of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.

The Development will comprise an array of solar PV modules, battery storage, and associated infrastructure, together with biodiversity enhancements including 64,500 trees, 50kms of new hedgerow and 800 acres of dedicated biodiversity areas.

The Foot Anstey team was led by Partner Kutahya Cherry, with key Associate Ben Delany, amongst others. 

Kutahya with Ben led on all real estate aspects for the proposed 4,362 acre site, including the main solar park, access routes and proposed cable routes. This involved advising on the option, lease and deed of easement land agreements between Elements Green and over 30 separate land owners, as well as carrying out all associated due diligence.

The Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park project has recently been accepted for examination under the Development Consent Order (DCO) process and has now entered the Pre-examination stage, overseen by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Kutahya Cherry said: "This project demonstrates our ability to support the delivery of large-scale, complex infrastructure projects. We are proud to support Elements Green on this nationally significant project that will help power homes and reduce CO₂ emissions."

John Hetherton, Head of Project Delivery at Elements Green said: “Foot Anstey’s high level of technical expertise has been invaluable at every stage. Their guidance has been instrumental in securing the complex land rights needed for a scheme of this scale, enabling us to progress to the Pre-examination stage of the DCO process.”

The firm also advised Elements Green on its separate Staythorpe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, which obtained planning consent in June 2024 and for which the lease has now been granted. The team supported with option agreements, progressing leases with landowners, undertaking detailed property due diligence to support funder engagement, and advising on key land security matters as part of the project’s £140M financing process.

This GNR transaction marks the latest in a series of high-profile energy deals led by Foot Anstey's Energy and Infrastructure team. Earlier this year, the team has advised British Solar Renewables on a £345 million hybrid portfolio financing (one of the largest of its kind in the UK renewable energy sector) and on its acquisition of Little Crow Solar Park. The team has also advised Elmya Energy on a joint venture with Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure to develop renewable energy projects in the US.