Agenda item

The Committee heard from the Development Management Team Manager, who also provided a presentation to Members detailing the One Earth Solar Farm development plans. It was explained that the One Earth Solar Farm (OESF) was an energy project comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic arrays and on-site energy storage, along with associated development. It was stated to have an installed capacity of 740MW and would have its grid connection point at the decommissioned High Marnham power station site (Nottinghamshire). The development was being undertaken by Ørsted and PS Renewables.

Members heard that the 1,409Ha site straddled the County boundary between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Approximately 206Ha would fall within Lincolnshire and the district of West Lindsey. The site currently comprised arable fields to the south / south-east of Newton-on-Trent. The site’s northern-most boundary was approximately 200 metres from the village. Due to its scale (>50MW), the development qualified as a ‘nationally significant infrastructure project’, or NSIP, with the officer highlighting that NSIPs were subject to a separate consenting regime, overseen by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on the behalf of the Secretary of State.

The application was submitted to PINS in February 2025 and formally accepted on 27th March 2025. It would now be subject to a public examination, overseen by an Examining Authority (ExA), scheduled to run 8 July 2025 to 8 January 2026. Following closure of the examination, the ExA would make its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who would make the final decision as to whether to grant a Development Consent Order (DCO).

It was noted that as part of the examination project, West Lindsey District Council, a Host Authority, was invited to submit both a Local Impact Report (LIR) and any further Written Representations (WR). The draft examination timetable set out that this should be submitted by Tuesday 29 July 2025. It was recommended to the Committee that it agreed to the submission of both a LIR and WR to be made to the OESF Public Examination, by the required deadline.

Members heard that, due to the flood risk on the site, it had been suggested that panels were raised in order to accommodate that risk. It was recommended to the Committee that submission documents were amended to incorporate more details regarding the flood risk and the impact of panels being raised.

The Chairman thanked the officer for the detailed presentation and time taken on the draft documents. Members of the Committee expressed their continued concerns regarding the level of proposed solar farm development across the district, recognising that the One Earth proposal fell mostly outside of West Lindsey, however acknowledging the cumulative impact when considered alongside the other proposals.

In response to a query regarding the grid connection, it was confirmed that the developer had been tasked with confirming those details, however this would be further commented on in the submitted documents. Additionally, it was requested that the maintenance and removal of the panels be questioned as there was no mechanism currently for the disposal of spent panels. It was noted that Lincolnshire County Council, as waste authority, had also raised the issue of disposal. The submissions from West Lindsey District Council would also highlight archaeological concerns, which, although again within the remit of the County Council, were highlighted by Members of the Committee.

In reiterating the cumulative impact of such plans, a Member of the Committee highlighted the quality of agricultural land which would be lost through the proposed development. It was recognised that other proposals had used low to lowest quality arable land, however this proposal was to be sited on top quality land. The impact of losing that land, both for Lincolnshire famers and food production nationally, was stated as a major concern. In addition to the loss of farming land, the negative visual impact of that land being used for solar panels was considered to be immeasurable, particularly if the panels were to be raised to mitigate the flood risks on the site.

Further discussion highlighted concerns regarding the element of battery storage, with Members noting the motion to Council which had been passed previously regarding the fire and environmental risks of what was considered to be an unknown entity, as well as the proposed lifespan of the site. At 60 years, Members enquired as to what level of future planning was involved with such a long-term proposal.

The Chairman invited comments from Visiting Members, with further concerns raised regarding the community benefits of the scheme, and whether it could be conditioned for West Lindsey to receive reparation as well as the communities over the border, as well as seeking confirmation that the site would be required to adhere to ‘of the time’ legislation, for example in relation to battery storage, as it was recognised there was work at a national level to introduce tighter regulations. The Member suggested a number of planning policies which could be used to further support the Council’s representations, with the officer confirming all aspects could be incorporated into the final representations.

In response to a question as to how impactful the Council’s submissions could be, the officer explained that, whilst the government had been clear on their focus on the solar agenda, there were examples of other proposals being amended to take into consideration concerns which had been raised. All were in agreement that the Council had to submit representations, however, it was recognised that there were wider issues outside of the influence of West Lindsey District Council.

The Chairman concluded the debate and reiterated, on behalf of all Members, his thanks to the officer and team responsible for responding to the NSIP proposals. The officer confirmed the points raised through the debate would be incorporated into the final submissions. Having been proposed and seconded, and on taking the vote, it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    the submission of a Local Impact Report (LIR) to the One Earth Solar Farm DCO Examination be agreed, and authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities to complete, finalise and submit the LIR to the Examination by the required deadline, having taken into consideration the committee’s comments; and

b)    the submission of accompanying Written Representations (WR) to the One Earth Solar Farm DCO Examination be agreed, and authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities to complete, finalise and submit the WR to the Examination by the required deadline, having taken into consideration the committee’s comments.