There are five proposed nationally significant solar projects for West Lindsey.
Low Carbon's Gate Burton Energy Park, Island Green Power's Cottam Solar Project and West Burton's Solar Project, Tillbridge Solar Limited's Tillbridge Solar Project and Ørsted and PS Renewable's One Earth Solar Farm. All will generate more than 50MW and qualify as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, or NSIP.
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) are the Government Agency responsible for examining applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The National Infrastructure Planning website, managed by PINS, contains helpful advice on the Application Process (including how to participate in the process), as well as other Guidance and Advice.
Each Project has it’s own webpage on the National Infrastructure Planning website:
Gate Burton Energy Park
Low Carbon are looking to develop the Gate Burton Energy Park, which is a proposed solar and energy park, anticipated as having a generation capacity of 500MW.
It would be built on agricultural land wholly contained within the boundary of one site comprising approximately 684 hectares (1,690 acres). The site is located in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire approximately four kilometres south of Gainsborough, near the communities of Gate Burton, Knaith Park and Willingham-by-Stow.
The electricity generated by the energy park is expected to be exported into the existing national electricity transmission system at National Grid’s 400kV Cottam substation, in the district of Bassetlaw.
The six month public examination ran from 4 July 2023 to 4 January 2024. On 12 July 2024 the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero announced his decision to grant a Development Consent Order for the development.
The Development Consent Order sets out 19 requirements the developer must fulfil. This includes further details that must be submitted to the relevant authorities before development may commence. The Order can be viewed on the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Further information
Cottam Solar Project
Island Green Power (IGP) are proposing two projects that cross the county border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
The Cottam Solar Project is anticipated as having a generation capacity of 600MW. It is proposed across three sites, totalling 1,270ha in area. Cottam 1 (894Ha) would be located on land between Sturton by Stow and Ingham. Cottam 2 (132Ha) on land to the north-east of Corringham; and Cottam 3 (244Ha) to the east of Blyton and Pilham.
The electricity generated by the energy park is expected to be exported into the existing national electricity transmission system at National Grid’s 400kV Cottam substation, in the district of Bassetlaw.
On the 5 September 2024, the Secretary of State announced his decision to grant the Development Consent Order (DCO).
The Development Consent Order sets out 22 requirements the developer must fulfil. This includes further details that must be submitted to the relevant authorities before development may commence. The Order can be viewed on the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Further information
West Burton Solar Project
Island Green Power (IGP) are proposing two projects that cross the county border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
The West Burton Solar Project is anticipated as having a generation capacity of up to 480MW. It is proposed across three sites within West Lindsey District, totalling 788Ha in area. West Burton 1 (90Ha), 2 (328ha) and 3 (370Ha) are clustered within a circa 8.5km stretch of countryside located east of the River Trent, south of the A1500 and north of Saxilby. West Burton 4 (247Ha) in Bassetlaw District has now been removed from the project. Each of the sites will be connected by underground cables.
This will allow for energy generated to be transferred to the grid connection point at West Burton Power Station, in the district of Bassetlaw.
The Planning Inspectorate confirmed on 18 April 2023 that this project has been accepted for examination.
The six month examination commenced on 8 November 2023, and formally closed on Wednesday 8 May 2024.
On Wednesday 6 November 2024 a statement was made to the House of Commons and House of Lords that the Secretary of State has decided to extend the statutory deadline to have determined the Project until 24 January 2025. It had been due to have been determined by 8 November 2024.
Further information
Tillbridge Solar Project
Tillbridge Solar is a proposed project located approximately 5km to the east of Gainsborough between the villages of Glentworth, Hemswell and Springthorpe. The new solar farm would be located on the land to the south of Harpswell Lane (A631), to the west of Middle Street (B1398) and largely to the north of Kexby Road and to the east of Springthorpe. This will cover an area of approximately 1,400ha.
The electricity generated (up to 500MW anticipated) from the project would then connect to National Grid’s Cottam substation in Bassetlaw District.
The six month examination formally commenced on Tuesday 15 October 2024 with the Preliminary Meeting. The Examining authority is under a duty to complete the examination by Tuesday 15 April 2025.
The examination timetable has reserved the weeks commencing 13 January 2025 and if required, 3 March 2025, for public hearings. It indicates a second Open Floor Hearing, in which members of the public may take the floor to address the Examining Authority, may be held in the January week, if required.
The secretary of State will be due to have made a decision within six months of the examination closing, for example by 15 October 2025.
Further information
One Earth Solar Project
The One Earth Solar Farm proposes a new solar photovoltaic farm and associated battery energy storage that would import and export up to 740MW of electricity (the developer expects that this would be able to supply up to 200,000 UK homes). Grid connection would be made to the high Marnham sub-station in Bassetlaw District.
The development is proposed by PS Renewables and Ørsted.
The site is proposed on land to the south of Newton on Trent, and would fall within the Districts of West Lindsey, Bassetlaw, and Newark & Sherwood. It would lie within both Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire counties.
The development is at the pre-application stage. Please see One Earth Solar Farm's website for further details.
The developer has indicated that they intend to submit their application for a Development Consent Order to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate in in early 2025 (between January and March). If this is met, the public examination will be likely to take place in the later half of 2025.