Rutton Farm, Whimple - Horton Solar Farm (49.9 MW)
Rutton Farm, Whimple - Horton Solar Farm is a 49.9 MW solar farm project in East Devon, England. Its status in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (July 2026 extract) is: approved on 16 June 2023, not yet built; the record was last updated on 3 March 2026. REPD records the planning permission as expiring on 16 June 2026, but the project holds a Contracts for Difference award (AR6), so construction may have started. Check the planning authority's register for the latest position.
REPD records the planning permission as expiring on 16 June 2026, but the project holds a Contracts for Difference award (AR6), so construction may have started.
Planning timeline
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| 9 May 2022 | Application submitted |
| 16 June 2023 | Planning permission granted |
| 16 June 2026 | Permission expired |
Project details
- Technology
- solar farm
- Capacity
- 49.9 MW
- Status (REPD)
- approved, not built
- Record last updated
- 3 March 2026
- Operator or applicant
- Aura Power Developments Limited
- Planning authority
- East Devon
- Planning application reference
- 22/0783/MFUL
- Site area
- 58.4 ha
- Address (REPD)
- East Of Rutton Farm Rull Lane Whimple
- Council area (by location)
- East Devon
- Time to decision
- 58 weeks
- Contracts for Difference
- AR6
- REPD reference
- 11274
Who decides
| Applications | East Devon | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Decided applications (solar, wind, battery) | 55 | 10,236 |
| Refused | 17 (31%) | 19% |
| Solar refused | 9 of 36 | 12% |
| Battery storage refused | 8 of 19 | 16% |
| Median time from submission to decision | 21.0 weeks | 17.0 weeks |
| Appeals lodged / allowed | 5 / 3 | — |
Other large projects within 10 km
| Project | Type | MW | Status | km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pithayes | solar | 5 | refused | 1.6 |
| Exeter Substation, Broadclyst | battery storage | 125 | approved, not built | 2.7 |
| Saundercroft Solar Farm | solar farm | 7 | operational | 3.2 |
| Saundercroft Road, Broadclyst | battery storage | 57 | approved, not built | 3.2 |
| Saundercroft Farm | battery storage | 290 | approved, not built | 3.2 |
| Paytherden Solar Farm (Peradon) | solar farm | 49 | under construction | 3.2 |
| Crannaford Solar Farm | solar farm | 12.5 | operational | 3.8 |
| National Grid Substation | battery storage | 100 | approved, not built | 4.0 |
| Escot Park Estate, Talaton Solar Farm | solar farm | 35 | application submitted | 4.2 |
Status and dates as recorded in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (July 2026 extract); the database is compiled from public sources and can lag behind council decisions. Location: REPD grid reference (50.7786, -3.3588).