Imagine owning a property that feels like a private luxury retreat—an outdoor pool shimmering under the sun, a custom putting green right on the lawn, a fully equipped home gym, and a garage so impressive it once housed a Bentley, a Porsche, and a Range Rover.
That’s exactly what entrepreneur Mark Hogan has enjoyed for nearly 15 years in a stunning barn conversion nestled in the picturesque village of Washington, West Sussex.
Surrounded by almost five acres of land, his home overlooks the breathtaking South Downs National Park, a view that many would envy.
But now, Hogan, 59, is putting this dream property on the market for £2.65 million—more than double what he paid back in 2011.
So how has he been able to afford such a luxurious lifestyle? Unlike city bankers or lawyers, Hogan’s wealth comes from a very different industry—renewable energy, specifically solar farms.
Building a Solar Empire in East Yorkshire
Mark Hogan is at the helm of Boom Power Ltd, a solar farm company that recently received government approval to install solar panels across more than 3,000 acres of countryside in East Yorkshire.
This massive project, which will span the rural hamlets of Gribthorpe, Spaldington, and Brind, aims to produce enough clean energy to power 100,000 homes when the sun is shining.
It’s a milestone for Hogan and a major step toward the UK’s goal of Net Zero emissions by 2050.
The solar farm will feature giant, sun-tracking panels standing over 3.5 meters high, enclosed by deer-proof fencing and monitored with CCTV.
Because of its sheer scale, the project was classified as a “nationally significant infrastructure project,” which means that rather than a local council, the final approval came directly from the government—specifically Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The Battle Over the Countryside
While Hogan’s solar farm represents a major advancement in renewable energy, the project has sparked fierce opposition among the local communities it will affect.
For 18 months, hundreds of residents have protested and challenged the plans, desperate to preserve their rural way of life.
Villagers have taken their concerns all the way to the Planning Inspectorate, but despite their efforts, the government gave the green light.
For people like Alison Taylor, who lives just down the road in Spaldington, the news was devastating.
Her garden, which has long offered peaceful views of green fields and countryside walks with her dog, will soon be dominated by rows upon rows of towering solar panels.
“Instead of looking at hedges and fields, we will be looking at solar panels almost as tall as a double-decker bus,” she says, describing the loss with a mix of shock and anger.
Local Voices Speak Out
Local MP Sir David Davis has criticized the approval process as a rubber-stamping exercise that ignored the concerns of his constituents.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, who stands in one of the fields set for development, has voiced fears about the impact on food security, urging that solar panels be placed on brownfield sites, rooftops, or car parks instead of valuable farmland.
The pushback has gone viral online, with Aitken’s call to action reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers and sparking nationwide debate.
Many residents say the government’s rapid approval of multiple large solar projects feels like a top-down decision with little genuine public consultation.
The Reality for Farmers and Residents
The controversy isn’t just about the view. Construction is expected to take around two years, bringing heavy vehicles to narrow country lanes and disturbing local wildlife like deer and owls.
Retired engineer Steve Elphick sums it up: “This is our life, and it’s being taken away from us.
It’s about our mental health and wellbeing.”
Farmers, however, are in a difficult position.
Faced with mounting taxes and regulations, some see leasing their land for solar farms as a lucrative opportunity—earning far more per acre than traditional farming.
It’s a tempting financial offer that many find hard to refuse, even if it means changing the landscape forever.
Boom Power’s Response and Future Plans
Boom Power insists they have done everything by the book.
Jack Spurway, their head of planning, says the public has been actively involved throughout the process and highlights efforts to create wildlife habitats and preserve hedges to soften the visual impact.
The East Yorkshire Solar Farm will be Boom Power’s first nationally significant project, backed by German investment firm Pelion Green Future.
When complete, it will be the largest solar park in the UK, showcasing the company’s growing influence in the clean energy sector.
Balancing Progress and Preservation
Energy Minister Lord Hunt praises the project as a vital step toward affordable, clean power for British families.
Meanwhile, Mark Hogan himself calls securing development consent a proud moment that demonstrates his company’s ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure.
Yet for the residents of East Yorkshire, the reality is far more complicated.
What promises a greener future for the nation means profound change—and loss—for those who call the countryside home.
As the debate continues, the challenge remains: how to balance urgent climate goals with protecting the communities and landscapes that define rural Britain.