On Friday 12 July, permission for Gate Burton Energy Park was granted by the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The proposed development is located four kilometres south of Gainsborough near the communities of Gate Burton, Knaith Park and Willingham-By-Stow. It is approximately 834 hectares comprising of ground mounted solar panels, battery energy storage, substation and associated infrastructure works.
As a host authority in the consenting process, West Lindsey District Council provided formal relevant representations and a local impact report, highlighting the impact of the development on our communities.
Specific concerns were raised in relation to the loss of agricultural land and impact on national food security, landscape and visual impact, impact on the local communities and concerns regarding highways implications.
Cllr Emma Bailey, Vice Chair of the council’s Prosperous Communities Committee, said:
“The news that the Gate Burton Energy Park has been approved is deeply disappointing. It is clear from the decision report that the impact of this development on our local communities, together with the loss of prime agricultural land has been put to one side and not given due regard.”
Four further solar development proposals for land across West Lindsey are at varying stage of the nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP) consenting process.
Cllr Bailey added:
“With more proposals in the pipeline the council will be lobbying for the thorough and transparent consideration of the cumulative impacts of the developments, which across our district are significant and disproportionate. The Council do not accept that the benefit of solar development outweighs what are considerable social, economic and environmental impacts for cumulative developments at this scale.
The council will continue to engage in the development consenting process. All information related to the nationally significant solar developments can be found on the council’s website.
Solar development proposals for West Lindsey | West Lindsey District Council (west-lindsey.gov.uk)