West Lindsey District Council has granted fresh approval for the development of a solar farm on the former site of RAF Fiskerton, following negotiations addressing concerns regarding the size of communication masts.
Initially approved for use as a solar farm in 2021, the project encountered opposition from critics who argued that it would mar the countryside without offering tangible benefits to the local community.
The revised proposal, which received council approval, entails an increase in the size of communication masts from 49ft (15m) to 82ft (25m). This adjustment enables direct communication between the approved substation and the distribution network, facilitating the management of electricity export from the solar farm.
As stipulated in the planning documents, the solar farm is slated to operate for 40 years before the land is restored to its previous state.
While the project has garnered approval, concerns persist regarding its impact on arable land use for energy production. Responses to the proposal have suggested alternative locations, such as disused concrete runways nearby, to minimize the use of arable land.
The development of solar farms is part of a broader trend in Lincolnshire, with several projects proposed across the region. In February, campaigners protested against plans for a large-scale solar farm between Lincoln and Sleaford, which proponents claim could power 180,000 homes.
Additionally, National Grid’s announcement of plans to install 420 pylons, up to 164ft (50m) high, along an 87-mile (140km) stretch between Grimsby and Walpole in Norfolk has sparked controversy. While National Grid asserts the urgent need for infrastructure to connect new green energy sources to the grid, critics voice concerns about the impact on the countryside.