Lincolnshire residents are “very upset” by the approval of the UK’s largest solar farm on their doorstep.
The Springwell Solar Farm will cover 3,163 acres near the villages of Metheringham, Scopwick and Navenby, and will potentially be in operation for up to 40 years.
The 800MW project would be able to generate more energy than any other solar farm, and will come online in 2029.
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The government’s decision, which was released on Wednesday (April 8), was widely-expected but has proved unpopular with local residents.
One small business owner in Navenby told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Everyone is very upset about it – there have been signs protesting about it everywhere for months.
“It will ruin the rural landscape of the Cliff Villages. I’ve not met a single person who wants it.
“It’s not come as a surprise. It feels like it was already decided months ago – the consultation was a foregone conclusion.”
The project would be able to power 180,000 homes – around half of the total number in Lincolnshire – which the government says is essential as the energy becomes more unpredictable.
Another Navenby shopkeeper, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “If only we paid farmers more, this wouldn’t be an issue. Why wouldn’t they take the money if they’re struggling to make a profit?
“The big problem happens at the end – do all the panels and cables get removed properly and the fields restored?
“It would be better to see these in dead space such as beside motorways or above car parks.”
Sid Hamish, who lives in Canwick and was visiting Scopwick, said: “It’s going to ruin the landscape – it’s too much what with other solar farms planned near Nocton and Bracebridge.
“Farmers’ land is more important for growing crops.”
Another Navenby resident said: “I’m not happy about it at all. It will look an eyesore, turning green fields into solar panels.
“It won’t really change the village itself, but the countryside will look very different.”
A spokesperson for developers EDF power solutions and Luminous Energy said: “As the project moves forward, we remain committed to working collaboratively with local communities and partners to reduce the impacts of construction while delivering long-term benefits for the region.”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “We are driving further and faster for clean homegrown power that we control to protect the British people and bring down bills for good.
“It is crucial we learn the lessons of the conflict in the Middle East – solar is one of the cheapest forms of power available and is how we get off the rollercoaster of international fossil fuel markets and secure our own energy independence.”
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