Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
Council launches High Court challenge over solar park
06/10/2026 Lincolnshire County Council has launched a High Court challenge against the Government's approval of a solar development. |
Research finds council homes falling behind in solar uptake
02/06/2026 Councils are being outpaced by private homeowners in their installation rate of rooftop solar panels, data has found. |
Solar-powered bin scheme drives efficiencies in Sheffield
18/03/2026 New solar-powered smart bins are to be launched in Sheffield to help meet the city’s environmental goals. |
Major solar farm planned for Dorset Council-owned land
13/11/2025 Dorset Council is set to pursue plans for a major solar farm on a council-owned site near Weymouth, under new proposals outlined in a report to its cabinet. |
Approval of largest solar farm scheme branded ‘appalling’
15/10/2025 A 3,000 acre solar farm project in Lincolnshire has received Government approval despite opposition from the county council. |
Glasgow launches £1m CMI for climate projects
02/10/2025 Glasgow City Council has unveiled a Community Municipal Investment (CMI), aiming to raise £1m to fund solar energy initiatives across the city. |
Solar energy scheme could save Havering Council thousands
24/09/2025 Solar PV panels have been installed at nine locations as part of Havering Council’s aims to cut carbon emissions. |
Council leader dismisses ‘laughable’ criticism of solar farm skit
26/08/2025 A council leader has denied inciting violence after he made a video where he pretended to destroy a solar farm with a rocket launcher. |
Residents reject solar farm scheme
04/08/2025 More than 50 residents have complained to a local authority about proposals for a solar farm development in Hampshire. |
Local authority invests in GPS collars for cattle
22/05/2025 Cambridge City Council has been forced to adopt a high-tech solution to stop cows grazing on common land from falling into the River Cam. |
Council’s anti-slavery policy used to fight solar farm
12/05/2025 Locals opposed to a solar panel project on the Hampshire-Berkshire border are attempting to stop it by arguing it could breach anti-slavery commitments. |
Council chiefs call for solar panels on new builds
28/04/2025 All new homes should have solar panels installed to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs for households, council leaders say. |
London schools to benefit from energy efficiency measures
15/04/2025 Thirty-eight schools in London are set to benefit from £2.9m of City Hall funding to help them become more energy efficient, according to the Mayor of London. |
Gloucestershire schools set to see solar panels installed
24/02/2025 Gloucestershire County Council has named six primary schools that will see solar panels installed. |
Rooftop solar panels could cut energy bills by a quarter, report finds
12/02/2025 Rooftop solar panels could cut poorer households’ energy bills by almost a quarter, new research has found. |
Ofgem praises solar scheme for social housing
10/12/2024 Council estate residents in Hackney will be able to buy discounted energy from new solar panels on their buildings from next year. |
Council to install 120 solar-powered bins
18/11/2024 Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is installing more than 120 new solar-powered litter bins to reduce litter and the borough’s carbon footprint. |
Row over collapse of legal action
22/08/2024 Proposed legal action over the Government granting planning permission for a large-scale solar farm has collapsed, provoking an angry reaction from two councils. |
Councils to take legal action over solar farm permission
08/08/2024 Suffolk County Council has initiated legal proceedings in a bid to secure more funding after the new Government approved a large-scale solar farm. |
