Belton solar farm plans vetoed after airport objects

Diane Brough with fellow Belton residents at the site of the Solar panels. (Buy this photo E1564TS) Picture: Tony Saxton

The field-full of solar panels on land north of Green Lane at Belton was rejected after Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport bosses said pilots flying overhead could be affected by glare from below.

The airport’s managing director Steve Gill asked for a full assessment on the proposed scheme last December, after stressing the need for passenger safety.

The 2.04MW ground-mounted solar PV system was unwanted by villagers, who mounted their own fierce protest against the plans, supported by their own parish council, North Lincolnshire councillors and Isle MP Andrew Percy.

There was concern over public rights of way in the vicinity of the field.

Parish councillor Tony Ferris said: “We were unanimous in our objection to the application on grounds of it being in open countryside on historic farmland, and because of the impact on wildlife. There are plenty of brownfield sites in Scunthorpe that could be used.”

Green Lane was also considered by villagers to be too narrow for use by heavy traffic.

Isle MP Andrew Percy said: “I am delighted this scheme has been turned down. I wrote in to object to it myself. The Isle is an historic agricultural area and I see a solar field as industrialisation. I was happy to support local people in their campaign against it.”