County council launches judicial review over solar development approved through NSIP process

The scheme is a proposed 700+ hectare development including solar panels, battery storage and a substation, near Heckington.

The development was approved by the Secretary of State in August through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) planning process.

Lincolnshire said that throughout the planning process, it had “raised concerns that insufficient weight may have been given to the impacts of the development, including its effects on local communities, the rural landscape and agricultural land, and the cumulative effects of several other major solar developments in Lincolnshire”.

Cllr Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Following the Government’s decision to approve this development, we carefully considered our options, took legal advice, and we believe there are reasonable grounds to challenge this decision in court.

“Legal action isn’t something we take lightly, but we need to use whatever means we have available to stop these developments eating up our best and most versatile farmland, dwarfing local communities, and covering Lincolnshire in glass.

“Our county is still bearing the brunt of NSIP applications and, with no NSIP application ever being refused in Lincolnshire by successive Governments, it’s important that we take a stand on behalf of our residents and our national food security when we believe we have the grounds to challenge.”

The county council has already launched judicial review proceedings – jointly with North Kesteven District Council – in relation to the Government’s approval of the Springwell Solar Farm, which will be the largest in the UK if it goes ahead.