Controversial solar farm in Hatton is given go-ahead by government inspector

The proposal, for prime farmland, spanning 178 acres, next to Sotby Woods on Sturton Road in the village of Hatton, was rejected by East Lindsey District Council in October, despite the need to tackle climate change.

This followed widespread condemnation, with the council receiving no fewer than 378 objections amid a campaign led by an action group, formed by local residents, and a 479-signature petition.

The campaigners cited fears about the potential destruction of the rural agricultural landscape in Hatton, which had been farmed for decades and included a grade II listed farmhouse, as well as about the damaging effect on wildlife, tourism and biodiversity.

However, the applicant, renewable energy company Push Energy, appealed against the decision. And the government’s Planning Inspectorate has now said that the development can proceed.

Giving his judgement, an inspector accepted that the solar farm would have “some adverse” effects on the character of the landscape. But these would be “limited and localised”, partly because of “mitigation planting” that was planned around the site.

The inspectorate’s report concluded: “The imperative to tackle climate change, achieve net-zero targets and contribute to energy security….clearly and decisively outweigh those harms”.

Push Energy insists the 49.9 megawatts solar farm, complete with solar panels, a 132kV substation, 50-foot-high security and communications tower and seven-foot-high perimeter fence, will provide enough power for about 21,000 homes in the area for the next 40 years.

It says it will also remove the equivalent of 12,500 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, helping East Lindsey District Council to meet its net-zero targets for carbon emissions.

But when the council turned down the plan, Coun Ruchira Yarsley, a director of the Hatton Action Group and a Conservative councillor who represents the ward of Wragby, told the BBC: “We are not against renewables. Nobody can be in this day and age.

"However, a number of local businesses rely on rural tourism and spoiling the scenic countryside views would impact on them.

"If you are going to surround these assets with solar, no-one is going to come.”

The Planning Inspectorate’s decision has been criticised by Victoria Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, who said the residents of Hatton would be “devastated”.

She added: “This is another example of local people paying the price for the government’s rushed and botched net-zero plan.

"Our county is the bread-basket of the country and should be being protected for our nation’s food security.”

The solar farm saga dates back to 2021 when the plans first surfaced. Initially, the district council said yes before the Hatton Action Group successfully launched an appeal, calling for a Judicial Review in the High Court.

In February last year, a judge in the High Court of Justice duly overturned the council’s decision and quashed the proposal after shortfalls were exposed.

However, Push Energy re-grouped and submitted a fresh planning application, which has now won the approval of the Planning Inspectorate. It is yet to be seen how the action group will respond this time.