'It would dominate the local landscape': Councillors raise concerns over ‘huge’ solar farm proposal
Lincolnshire councillors have voiced strong objections to a large-scale solar farm – once described as 'the size of a London borough' – proposed near several villages south of Lincoln.
The Fosse Green Energy project would cover more than 3,000 acres, spanning the areas around Thorpe on the Hill, Witham St Hughs, Haddington, Thurlby, Navenby, and Bassingham. A 10km cable corridor connecting the site to a planned National Grid substation near Navenby is also included in the application.
The development would feature a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic generating station, battery storage, onsite substations, and associated infrastructure. The developer says it could generate over 50MW of electricity at near-zero carbon emissions over the life of the project.
Councillor Danny Brookes, Executive Member for Planning and Environment, said: “Lincolnshire is facing a significant number of large-scale energy and infrastructure schemes, and it is increasingly important that decision-makers fully recognise their combined short- and long-term impacts.
“Each of these developments brings with it the loss of productive agricultural land and dramatic changes to our rural landscape.
"There is real concern that the effects of these projects may outweigh the benefits promised.
“If approved, this huge proposal would dominate the local landscape and dwarf nearby communities, whose residents are passionately speaking out against it. Councillors are committed to defending our agricultural land and rural way of life.”
Fosse Green Energy say a range of factors were considered when selecting the site, including topography, access to the electricity grid, visual impact, biodiversity, agricultural land quality, land use, and flood risk.
The developers add that the project has been designed to consider other solar proposals in the area, and that solar farms are quick to construct and operate, offering decarbonisation benefits with minimal noise or air quality impact once operational.
Fosse Green Energy also says it is exploring ways to provide local community benefits, including funding improvements to local facilities, subsidised solar panels for community use, lower-cost energy, electric vehicle charging points, broadband grants, educational visits, and apprenticeship opportunities.