Church Farm BESS is a 70MW battery energy storage project located on agricultural land at Church Farm, West Sleekburn, Choppington, Northumberland (NE62 5XE). The project received planning approval from Northumberland County Council on 7 January 2026 (application reference: 25/01726/FUL).
The site spans approximately 13 acres of poor-grade agricultural land. At the end of its operational life, the BESS will be fully decommissioned and the land restored to its original use — classified as a "temporary development" under the planning consent.
Project Overview
Developer Background
Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd is the renewable energy development arm of Bluefield Group, a UK-based business that develops, builds and operates solar farms and battery storage projects on behalf of the funds it advises, including the London Stock Exchange-listed Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF).
Bluefield manages over 270 individual renewable energy assets with a total capacity exceeding 1GW and an asset value of £1.8bn. The company also developed Tar Farm BESS (Oxfordshire, 40MW, approved), making Church Farm its second "Farm BESS" project.
Project Significance
Grid Stability: Church Farm BESS will balance renewable energy generation with demand, helping stabilise the grid and reduce the risk of power cuts.
Energy Security: As the UK shifts from gas and coal-fired generation to renewables, projects like this are critical for energy security.
Biodiversity Net Gain: The project will retain existing hedgerows and trees, with new planting to enhance local biodiversity.
No Government Subsidies: The project does not rely on direct government subsidies, demonstrating a mature commercial model.
Project Context
Church Farm BESS is located on approved agricultural land, consistent with Bluefield's development strategy of selecting poor-grade farmland to minimise impact on food production. The planning consent requires full decommissioning and land restoration at the end of the project's life, with the land remaining classified as agricultural greenfield — not converting to brownfield.
This project is a typical example of the UK's "Farm BESS" asset class — temporarily converting agricultural land into energy storage infrastructure, supporting the energy transition while preserving long-term agricultural use.
Related Links
Northumberland County Council Planning Portal (search reference: 25/01726/FUL)
Information compiled from Church Farm BESS official website, Northumberland County Council planning documents, and Bluefield public disclosures. Last updated: 7 April 2026.