Sleaford and North Hykeham MP and Solar Action Groups petition 10 Downing Street
The MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham has joined action groups to deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street against mega solar farms planned for Lincolnshire.
On Monday (July 6), MP Dr Caroline Johnson and concerned residents hand delivered a significant package of 1,000 letters to the Prime Minister’s residence, signed by residents from across the constituency, to demonstrate the strength of local feeling against the proposed local applications and send a clear message to the Government about local people’s concerns.
They particularly highlighted the issue of solar farms sited on productive agricultural land and close to local villages.
Representatives from the Cliff Villages, Springwell, Beacon Fen and Fosse Green solar action groups joined together for the visit. Each solar action group has been fighting these applications within their local area, with support from Dr Johnson who has been opposing large-scale solar farms in Westminster and speaking against the proposals at open hearings.
Campaigners are continuing to highlight the widespread and growing opposition across affected communities, with seven per cent of the Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency currently open to existing applications alone.
Springwell Solar Farm (3,163 acres), near Scopwick, was approved by the Government in April – making it the largest solar farm in the UK. The Heckington Fen Solar Park, also in the North Kesteven district, was approved by the Government in January 2025. Other applications, including Fosse Green Solar Farm and Beacon Fen Solar Farm in the constituency are currently going through the relevant planning phases and the Leoda Solar Farm is currently paused.
Dr Caroline Johnson MP said: “Today we brought the voices of local people from Sleaford and North Hykeham directly to the heart of Government. My message is clear: our local communities do not want to see vast swathes of Lincolnshire farmland covered by mega solar farm developments.
“Lincolnshire is the breadbasket of the country, producing 30 per cent of the UK’s vegetables. These solar farms will cause irreversible damage to the area, and the cumulative impact of the proposals in North Kesteven, which includes the Springwell Solar Farm recently approved by the Government, is incredibly worrying.
“The number of letters we delivered to 10 Downing Street reflects the depth of concern felt by my constituents. I will be continuing to fight against all these large-scale proposals in the constituency and ensure their voices are heard in Westminster.”