Council spends £70k on experts as crucial Navenby substation application nears
North Kesteven District Council has hired experts at a cost of £70,000 to help analyse a controversial planning application.
National Grid is expected to submit plans for a substation near Navenby, which will connect several of the area’s huge “nationally significant” solar farms.
The council says the costs will be covered by the planning fee, which National Grid has already paid.
The consultants will provide the council’s planning department with specialist advice on landscape and visual impact, planning and environmental matters.
The total fees will be £58,600 plus VAT, taking it to just over £70,000, and would enable the council to make and defend a decision.
Some of the consultants have performed similar work for the council over applications for the nearby Springwell and Fosse solar farm plans.
The 400kv substation is one of the most consequential applications in central Lincolnshire, as it would be required for the major solar farms to begin operation.
Campaigners have promised to fight it, with the application determined locally rather than by government ministers.
National Grid’s website says a decision is expected in autumn 2026, although it has experienced delays.
The council has asked for further information from National Grid, meaning the application hasn’t yet gone live.
The applicant says the site, 32 acres of land north of Heath Lane, is the most suitable out of those it has surveyed.
“Based on current demand around Navenby, it’s not possible to connect everything proposed in the area to existing regional substations such as Bicker Fen,” National Grid’s website says.
“To connect new developments to our network, we’ve identified that a new 400 kilovolt (kV) substation is needed.”