Former nuclear missile base could become solar farm

RAF Caistor had launchpads for American-made nuclear missiles during part of the Cold War before the base was decommissioned.

It has since been mostly turned into farmland, although a new planning application could see it turned into Twelve Month Hill Solar Farm.

Developer European Energy claims that the solar panels would generate enough electricity to power 14,781 homes, and would prevent 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted each year.

The site on Caistor Road outside the town in West Lindsey is difficult to see from public roads, according to planning documents, and more trees could be planted to block views of the panels.

It would generate 49.9 MW – just under the 50 MW cap at which the government makes the planning decisions rather than West Lindsey District Council.

The developer says it would make a fund of £2,000 per megawatt – totalling nearly £100,000 – available for community projects.

“This funding is designed to support local projects, initiatives and facilities, ensuring the benefits of clean, renewable energy are shared with the people who live closest to it,” the planning documents say.

It adds: “Renewable energy developments like the Twelve Month Hill Solar Farm are a key part of addressing the climate emergency, as part of the delivery of an overall mix of new renewable energy generation projects across the country.”

The base was active during the Second World War, with both British and American crews stationed there.

It was brought back into use during the Cold War when the UK agreed to host American Thor missiles.

Three launchpads were built on RAF Caistor as part of a Lincolnshire network of nuclear-armed bases managed from RAF Hemswell near Gainsborough.

However, the agreement ended shortly after in 1963, and little remains today of the site’s military history.

The solar farm application is currently open for public comment on West Lindsey District Council’s planning website.