Summary

Pure Leapfrog is proud to be supporting the development of a 500kW community-owned solar farm in Weardale, County Durham. Located on a disused limestone quarry, the project will generate clean, affordable electricity for 100 local homes and nearby businesses with surplus energy exported to the grid.

We’ve worked closely with Weardale Renewable Energy CIC (WRE) to provide expert support in legal structuring, business planning, and financial modelling. The project is designed to put the power – quite literally – back in the hands of the local community, delivering long-term environmental and economic benefits.

What problem are we trying to solve?  

Communities like Weardale are on the front line of the energy transition, yet too often they’re left out of it. 

The region has experienced real challenges, like days-long power outages during Storm Arwen, which exposed how vulnerable rural areas are to energy disruption. At the same time, local people face rising bills and limited ways to benefit from renewable energy being generated elsewhere. 

This project is about changing that. It’s about creating a fairer, more resilient local energy system, one that puts the community in control. 

By developing a solar farm owned and run by local people, the Heights Quarry project aims to: 

• Reduce reliance on centralised, fossil-fuel-based power 

• Improve energy security in the face of extreme weather and grid instability 

• Lower energy bills for local homes and businesses 

• Keep profits and decision-making in the community 

• Support local biodiversity and environmental recovery 

It’s also about demonstrating that even complex infrastructure can be led from the ground up, with the right support. That’s where Pure Leapfrog comes in: helping shape a business model that’s robust, investable, and focused on delivering real local impact. 

How are we doing this?  

So far, we’ve supported this project by: 

• Developing the financial model and business plan. 

• Assessing income scenarios from different energy off-takers (homes, businesses, grid). 

• Exploring options like private wire, energy sleeving, and unlicensed supply. 

• Advising on legal structure, governance, and transition to a Community Benefit Society. 

• Helping ensure the project is investment-ready and community-owned. 

In the next stage of the project we will: 

• Develop an outline publicity and engagement plan in preparation for the community share raise. 

• Develop the community share offer, and undertake the preparation and planning required for the share raise. 

• Set up and deliver the community share raise. 

Who are we working with?  

This project has been shaped through deep collaboration with: 

• Weardale Renewable Energy CIC (project lead) 

• Durham County Council 

• Heatons (planning support) 

• Encora Energy (technical advice) 

• Aggregate Industries, Allendale Brewery, Ward Timber (local businesses) 

• Community Energy England & Co-operatives UK (peer learning & CBS guidance) 

Twelve local volunteers are already engaged and will play a key role in the future community benefit society that will own and run the solar farm. 

What is the innovation?  

• Smart business model combining domestic and business supply. 

• Use of a low-impact site with strong solar potential and existing grid access. 

• Advanced community matching to maximise local benefit. 

• Front-loaded ecological and planning assessments to streamline approvals. 

• A funding and ownership model that puts the community in control. 

What did we learn?  

• Financial and legal clarity early on builds momentum and confidence. 

• Community ownership is powerful – but needs structure and support. 

• Mixed off-take models are key to balancing income and affordability. 

• Volunteers thrive when involved early and supported with the right tools. 

• Local authorities respond well to well-prepared, collaborative proposals. 

What’s next? 

Planning work is ongoing, with community engagement and fundraising set to ramp up in 2025. Once planning is secured, the CBS will be formally established and construction can begin, targeting full operation by 2027. 

We’re excited to continue supporting this project as it moves from vision to reality, proving that local people, with the right tools and backing, can lead the way to Net Zero.