Mounting opposition over major solar farm planned next to Lincolnshire Wolds

Ludborough Parish Council is opposing the planning application for the 98MW North Ray solar farm by French company TotalEnergies, which they say would be within the district council-designated Ludborough Area of Great Landscape Value and located just 100 metres from the boundary of the nationally protected Lincolnshire Wolds landscape, prompting objections from residents, campaigners and local representatives who question whether the scale and siting of the scheme are appropriate.

To date, Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins and Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns have joined local and county councillors, among others, in supporting and lodging objections with East Lindsey District Council which will be considering the scheme.

Those raising concerns say that, while the site lies just outside the designated boundary, developments of this size so close to the Wolds risk affecting its wider setting, including views and the character of the surrounding countryside. Protecting that setting, they argue, is an important part of maintaining the qualities for which the Wolds are recognised.

A comparison being drawn locally is how such a development might be viewed if proposed close to Hubbard's Hills in Louth. Objectors suggest that a scheme of this scale just 100 metres from a well-known beauty spot would be unlikely to find support, and believe similar considerations should apply here.

Nick Ingoldby, chairman of Ludborough Parish Council said: “While many acknowledge the importance of renewable energy, those opposed to the scheme say this should be balanced carefully against the protection of valued landscapes. They argue that alternative locations should be explored where impacts would be less sensitive.”

Residents who wish to comment on the proposal can submit their views to East Lindsey District Council, quoting planning application reference 00444/26/FUL.

The application is currently under consideration by planners, with both the environmental considerations and the level of public response likely to be taken into account.

The plans have been updated following public consultation, with developers saying the scheme has been refined to reflect environmental and community considerations.

A spokesperson for North Ray said that although the site was previously considered as part of a wider concept, a detailed assessment of deliverability, timing and environmental factors led to North Ray being identified as the most appropriate scheme to progress.

They said: “North Ray is the project we are now taking forward following a thorough review of options.

"We are grateful to everyone who took part in our consultation process, and we have made a number of updates to the proposal as a result.”

The spokesperson confirmed that the updated plans include a Biodiversity Net Gain strategy, with new grassland areas and improved drainage features designed to support wildlife and increase habitat diversity across the site.

They added: “These measures will help deliver long-term environmental benefits for the area and improve ecological value across the development.”

A nearby Bronze Age burial mound will also be protected under the revised plans, while a new community orchard has been included in the eastern section of the site closest to Ludborough. Developers say this will create a green buffer area and provide a space for local residents, which will be maintained by TotalEnergies for the full operational life of the project.

The spokesperson said: “The community orchard is an important addition to the scheme. It will provide a green space for local people and sit alongside wider environmental improvements on site.”

If approved, North Ray would also deliver an annual, index-linked community benefit fund of £70,000.

The update comes amid ongoing debate over large-scale renewable energy developments across Lincolnshire, with campaigners continuing to raise concerns about planning processes and the impact on rural communities.

Lincolnshire Against Needless Destruction (LAND) has welcomed the announcement that Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council intend to pursue a judicial review into the approval of the Springwell Solar Farm.

The group said the move would be “welcome news” for residents in and around Scopwick, between Lincoln and Sleaford, and others who have raised long-standing concerns about the development’s scale and impact.

Councils involved believe the planning process may have been procedurally flawed, arguing that incorrect weight may have been given to key considerations.

LAND said the legal challenge could help determine whether the planning system has operated fairly, but warned that judicial reviews are costly, uncertain, and only possible once approval has already been granted.

The group is also calling for a more strategic, county-wide approach to energy planning, arguing that a clearer framework is needed to avoid unsuitable developments progressing through the system.

As part of its campaign, LAND has put forward a Holistic Energy Plan for Lincolnshire, advocating smaller-scale renewable generation, a decentralised grid approach, and coordinated infrastructure planning to reduce disruption to farmland and rural areas.

A spokesperson for North Ray said the company recognises the importance of engagement on major energy projects and will continue to work with stakeholders as the application progresses.

They said: “We understand the importance of listening to local views and ensuring schemes deliver both environmental and community benefits alongside renewable energy generation.”