Solar planning consultant in Dorset.
Planning for solar farms, battery storage and commercial solar across Dorset. Led by our in-house Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), from our base in Exeter.
Planning that knows Dorset.
Two councils, older local plans
Dorset Council and BCP Council decide most applications. Until the new Dorset Council Local Plan is adopted, expected in 2029, the old district plans still apply, so we check which one covers your site.
Protected landscape mapped early
The Dorset National Landscape covers about 42% of the county. We check your site against it, and the Jurassic Coast and Cranborne Chase, before you spend on surveys.
Evidence the council is building
Dorset Council has a renewable energy resource assessment (2025) and is preparing a landscape study for wind and solar. We design with both in mind.
Grid and planning together
A consent is only worth having with a grid connection. We check both at the same time, so nothing is wasted.
Planning authorities in Dorset.
Most solar farms in Dorset are decided by Dorset Council. In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BCP Council decides. Solar farms up to 100MW are decided by the local planning authority. Larger schemes go through the national planning process, after the threshold rose from 50MW on 31 December 2025.
Planning authorities
- Dorset Council (unitary since April 2019)
- BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
Protected landscapes
- Dorset National Landscape (about 42% of the county)
- Part of Cranborne Chase National Landscape
- Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site (Dorset and East Devon Coast)
Until the new Dorset Council Local Plan is adopted, the local plans for the former district areas still apply.
Know the cost up front.
The same fees across Dorset and the UK. Surveys at cost plus a management fee.
- Desktop feasibility study: solar, wind or battery
- From £650 ex VAT
- Pre-application package
- From £3,000 ex VAT
- Full planning application, up to 10MW
- Price on request
- Full planning application, 10MW to 49.9MW
- Price on request
Solar planning in Dorset: questions
Who decides a solar farm planning application in Dorset?
Dorset Council for most of the county, or BCP Council in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Schemes over 100MW go through the national process instead.
Can you get planning for solar in the Dorset National Landscape?
It is much harder. National Landscapes have the highest landscape protection, so most solar farms in Dorset are on land outside it. We check designations before anything else.
How long does solar planning take in Dorset?
Local planning authorities aim to decide major applications, which include most solar farms, within 13 weeks, or 16 weeks if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed. Surveys and pre-application advice come first. We give you a realistic timeline for your site.
What does a solar planning consultant cost?
Most of our fees are published. A pre-application package starts from £3,000 ex VAT. Full applications are priced for each site, so contact us for a quote. Specialist surveys are charged at cost plus a management fee.
Related
- Solar planning in Devon →
- Solar planning in Cornwall →
- Solar planning in Somerset →
- Solar planning in Wiltshire →
- Solar planning in Gloucestershire →
- Solar farm land in Dorset →
- Grid consultancy →
- Guide: small ground-mount planning →
Sources: Dorset National Landscape: management plan · Dorset Council: grid capacity assessment · Dorset Council: local plan timetable · Dorset Council: local plan evidence · Ofgem: connection offers timetable. Checked 25 October 2026.
A site in Dorset? Get a fixed price.
Tell us about the site. We'll reply within one working day with a fixed quote and a clear next step.