Major Lincolnshire solar farm plans put on hold
Plans for a mega solar farm which could power up to 143,000 homes have been paused.
The Leoda Solar Farm is proposed for 2,400 acres of land north-west of Leadenham – the equivalent of 1,360 football pitches.
Developer Telis Energy UK said the plan has now been put on hold “in light of the evolving policy and regulatory landscape” – something which could be seen as a reference to a legal challenge launched by councils last week against the nearby Springwell Solar project.
The developer says the pause will “provide additional time to further review and refine the proposals”, and stresses the scheme hasn’t been cancelled.
Public consultation planned for early 2026 has been cancelled though, with no date for when it will resume.
Telis Energy UK says the solar farm is needed to help the UK hit its carbon-reduction goals and provide reliable green energy.
Dr Caroline Johnson, Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, welcomed news of the project’s pause on social media.
“I hope that the pressure we continue to put on this Labour government to leave Lincolnshire’s agricultural land alone, rather than industrialise it through excessively large solar farm developments, will convince the developers to drop these destructive plans altogether,” she said.
It is estimated that the proposed Leoda Solar Farm could power up to 143,000 homes and, since it generates over 100MW of renewable energy, is a proposal that is determined by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero and not North Kesteven District Council as local planning authority.
Coun Richard Wright, Leader of the council said: “On the one hand, the news of the promoter pausing their project, and withdrawing it from the Government’s NSIP programme, is noted and explains the absence of the anticipated consultation.
“However, on the other hand, today’s announcement has a great deal of uncertainty attached to it, since we are being told the project is being paused and not cancelled. This leaves a huge amount of uncertainty for local residents causing on-going disruption to their lives.
Residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year that the plans were too big and too vague, with many opposing the idea of solar panels on farmland.
Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council announced last week they were considering legal action against the government’s decision to approve the Springwell solar farm, located nearby.
The councils say “the proper process wasn’t followed”, and are hoping to launch a judicial review into the decision.
Further to the Leoda scheme there are four other solar NSIP projects or proposals currently live within the district – Heckington Fen, Springwell, Fosse Green and Beacon Fen.