Freedom of information (FOI) disclosure log
Date Sent: July 03, 2026
Conclusion: Partial Release
Description: Application: 23/02397/FUL – Woolley Solar Farm (Land at Haigh Lane and Land at Woolley Edge Lane, Wakefield) Following disclosure of previous officer/applicant correspondence, I request copies of all environmental information held (including emails, attachments, internal notes, Teams messages/chats, meeting notes, file notes, draft reports, consultation comments and correspondence with third parties) relating to the following matters: 1. Commencement period / implementation period All information relating to the proposed or approved commencement period for the development, including but not limited to: • references to “8 years”, “eight years”, “commencement period”, “implementation period”, “time limit”, “Condition 1”, “longstop”, “start date”, “expiry date”, “commencement condition”, “extended commencement”, “phasing” or equivalent wording; • any discussion, request, justification, rationale or assessment for a commencement period longer than the standard three-year period; • any comparison with other solar farm permissions (including New Hall or other Wakefield solar developments); • any discussion as to why a longer commencement period was considered necessary, reasonable or justified. 2. Grid connection / energisation / export timing All information relating to grid connection timing, energisation, export date or delay to connection, including but not limited to references to: • “grid connection”; • “connection date”; • “energisation” / “energization”; • “export date”; • “National Grid”; • “NESO”; • “grid reform”; • “queue”; • “constraint”; • “capacity”; • “Woolley Grange” substation; • “31 October 2034” (or similar dates); • anticipated connection delay, deferred connection, or inability to commence/operate due to grid constraints. 3. Officer/applicant discussions linking grid timing to commencement period All information concerning any relationship between the proposed commencement period and grid connection timing, including discussions of whether a longer implementation period was required because of grid connection uncertainty, delay or dependency on third-party infrastructure. For avoidance of doubt, this request includes: • correspondence between Wakefield Council officers and the applicant, agent, consultants or statutory consultees; • internal officer correspondence and discussions; • draft committee reports, draft conditions and tracked changes; • meeting notes, file notes, Teams chats/messages and calendar meeting
Attachments: EIR_Response_543.docx