Solar Farm Plans Rejected by CouncilSolar Farm Plans Rejected by Council South Kesteven District Council has denied permission for a proposed 107-hectare solar farm on agricultural land near Grantham, despite recommendations from officials to approve it. Background The application aimed to convert six farmland fields into a solar farm with 62,000 ground-mounted panels on land classified as Class 3 agricultural land. The development promised a power generation capacity of 24 megawatts, sufficient to power approximately 9,000 UK homes. Reasons for Rejection Despite a recommendation for approval by the designated planning officer, the planning committee voted against the application due to concerns over the loss of high-quality agricultural land. Class 3 land is considered prime agricultural land suitable for growing crops. Concerns Raised Councilors expressed concerns about the potential impact on local food production, highlighting the increasing challenges faced by farmers due to flooding and climate change. They emphasized the need to prioritize agricultural land for food production rather than renewable energy projects. Alternative Objections Lincolnshire County Council also raised objections during the consultation period, citing the project’s adverse effects on the rural landscape and visual attractiveness. The development would have resulted in glare and reflection that could impact the surrounding area. Next Steps The applicant has two options: either modify the plans and resubmit the application or appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate. The council is currently considering two additional applications for solar parks in the area, covering over 250 hectares of land.
Plans for a 107-hectare solar farm on farmland near Grantham have been rejected by South Kesteven District Council despite recommendations from officials to approve it.
The application site was for land to the west of Church Lane in the village of Welby, near Grantham, which currently consists of six agricultural fields.
Plans have been submitted to convert this into a solar farm covering an area of approximately 43.65 hectares, using 62,000 ground-mounted solar panels with a lifespan of approximately 40 years and a height of up to 3.5 metres.
It would have a power generation capacity of around 24 megawatts, enough to power 9,000 UK homes, according to the broker.
The application land is prime agricultural land Credit: SKDC
The panels are accompanied by associated works and infrastructure including a customer substation, six combined inverter/transformer cabins, property fencing, CCTV cameras and a control room.
Although South Kesteven District Council’s designated planning officer recommended this development for approval, the authority’s planning committee deliberated for approximately two hours before deciding to go against the recommendation and refuse the application.
According to the committee, this was due to concerns about loss of agricultural land, as the application site was on class 3 agricultural land.
Planning committee chair, Councillor Charmaine Morgan (Independent), said: “Grade 2 and 3 land is rare and that’s the point – it’s the best land available.
“We also need our agricultural land. If we don’t produce locally grown food, we import it and increase the amount of gases that are released into our environment.
“There are major problems in the province and the country, all with flooding that is destroying crops. I think we are going to end up with higher costs at this point if we don’t protect our local food supply.”
Credit: Adobe Stock
Councillor Tim Harrison (Independent) said he sees “no carbon benefit whatsoever” to the development, due to the damage to and use of agricultural land, and the required removal of solar panels once they reach the end of their shelf life.
The scheme was in fact also the subject of objections from Lincolnshire County Council on planning policy grounds during the consultation period. The county authority stated: “This development and its construction will affect the character of the surrounding rural landscape and its visual attractiveness, including through glare and glare.”
Three South Kesteven councillors supported the development, but the rest of the committee voted to reject it, meaning the applicant will either have to go back to the drawing board or appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
However, there are two other applications for solar parks in the area, both of which are being considered by the council, and together they cover just over 250 hectares of land.
