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Search the Public Notice PortalCAMPAIGNERS have declared a "victory for common sense" after an energy company confirmed it won't be appealing the refusal of its application for a huge solar farm in Worcestershire.
Several months after Malvern Hills District Council turned down the application to build the Chapel Hill solar farm near Powick, RWE has said it would not be pursuing the project any further.
It said various factors had contributed to the decision, including "wider project viability".
"RWE has taken the difficult decision not to appeal the planning refusal for Chapel Hill Solar Farm, following its rejection by Malvern Hills District Council in November 2025," an RWE spokesperson said.
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"We would like to sincerely thank the public, the local planning authority, and parish councils for their engagement throughout the planning process.
"RWE remains disappointed that Chapel Hill Solar Farm did not receive planning permission from the local planning authority, as we believe such projects are important for meeting renewable energy targets.
"RWE has carefully considered all factors—including planning outcome and wider project viability—and has decided not to appeal, choosing to focus resources on projects at a more advanced stage of development.
"We are reviewing the recent NESO Connections Reform results and their implications for our current and future onshore, solar, and battery projects."
A group known as Preserving Powick Landscape and Nature (PPLAN), which had campaigned against the solar farm, is celebrating the end of the saga.
Objectors to the plans had been concerned about the scale of the solar farm and its impact on the landscape, as well as fears that its construction could lead to lengthy roadworks on the busy A449.
"This is a victory for common sense over corporate greed fuelled by a ridiculous ideology," said Peter Loader, a member of PPLAN.
"Malvern Hills District Council had a robust case for refusing this planning application and we thank RWE for not prolonging things further through a futile appeal.
"PPLAN would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who donated, gave their time and otherwise supported our campaign.
"We would also like to commend Malvern Hills District Council’s planning department for the professional way in which the planning process was handled – they are a credit to the council and the district."
In its refusal notice, the council had said the plans would "constitute an incongruous and visually intrusive feature" that would be visible from the Malvern Hills.
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