Controversial plans for a West Cumbrian solar farm have been withdrawn.
Belltown Power wanted to create the farm on 200 acres of land to the north east of Egremont, below Dent fell.
However, it said today that its plans for Cobra Castle Solar Farm were no longer economically viable.
The proposals caused a huge protest from people living in the local area and Belltown Power said in October that it had pushed back its second round of consultation until 2026.
A group, Save Dent Fell, was set up to oppose the plans.
The Bristol-based developer said today that following the latest results of a recent National Grid reform process, the developer refreshed its detailed technical and economic assessments for the solar farm.
It concluded that the project is no longer economically viable.
A Belltown Power spokesman said: “This has been a difficult decision, but a necessary one, as macro-economic factors have unfortunately made this particular project uneconomical.
“We are very grateful to local residents, community representatives and stakeholders who took the time to engage with us during the initial consultation.
“While we will not be progressing further with these specific plans, Belltown remains fully committed to investing in our pipeline of renewable energy projects across the UK, which will prove essential if we are to deliver the clean, secure and affordable power that the country needs.”
The solar farm would have met the annual needs of 15,000 homes the developer said.
Josh McAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington, said: “I welcome the clarity this decision now provides for local residents. I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and engage throughout the process.
“As I’ve said consistently, any major development in our area must strike the right balance – supporting the transition to clean energy while respecting our landscape, agricultural land and local communities. That balance is essential if we are to maintain public confidence in how these decisions are made.
“I remain clear that West Cumbria should play a role in Britain’s clean energy future – but that must be done in a way that respects local voices, protects our landscape, and delivers tangible benefits for the communities hosting that infrastructure.
“I will continue to press for reforms that give us a fairer, more joined-up approach to energy planning, so that future proposals are viable, transparent, and genuinely in the public interest.”
