Large solar farm plan for Lincolnshire to increase by 200 hectares
Plans for a solar farm near Spalding have increased in size by around 200 hectares since they were first announced.The Meridian Solar Farm, which would generate electricity for more than 200,000 homes, was originally estimated at 900 hectares last year.The developer Downing Renewable Developments said it is still fine-tuning the proposals and wanted to hear from residents before a planning application is submitted.Stage two of the company's consultation began on 24 April and runs until the 8 June, with three in-person events for members of the public.
Information put out by the developer said only around 600 hectares would actually have solar panels on, with the rest holding infrastructure such as cables and battery storage.Most of the project would be focused near Spalding and Crowland, with a fourth area to the east near Sutton St Edmund.David Vernon, head of nationally significant infrastructure projects at DRD, said: "We're inviting the public to learn more about and provide feedback on our developed proposals, which is important to help us shape our final designs."We encourage anyone with an interest in Meridian Solar to take part in the consultation," he added.
'Steamroller through'
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it is expected that the plans will be submitted later this year. If approved, the project would be operational by about 2029 and would produce renewable energy for up to 40 years.The Meridian Action Group, who are campaigning against the solar farm, say it's vital that residents make their feelings heard.The group say the facility should be placed on brownfield land instead of good quality farmland, which they believe would threaten food security.Spokesman Paul Smith said: "Be in no doubt, without comments from the public, especially those to be most affected, this scheme will steamroller through exactly as proposed."Your comments, views and opinions will only count if you express them now," he added.The public consultation meetings will be held at:Sutton St Edmund Village Hall – Saturday 10 May, 10:30 – 16:30 BSTCrowland Snowden Pavilion – Wednesday 21 May, 14:00 – 20:00Weston Village Hall – Thursday 22 May, 14:00 – 20:00
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Taynuilt battery storage site application set to go to public hearing
The proposal by Downing Renewable Developments, for a site west of the Taynuilt's substation, attracted 135 objections from the public, along with one expression of support and four neutral representations. Questions were raised about fire safety, and conditions of awarding planning permission, before the decision to stage a hearing was made. The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, June 18. READ MORE: Student high-rise flats approved by council as objectors branded 'mental' Independent councillor Kieron Green asked about feedback from NatureScot, who are a statutory consultee in the planning process. Planning officer David Moore responded: 'There is a lot of land, and if you look at the red line boundary, you want to have as much planting as you can, because it is agricultural land. We will be looking for tree planting and there is ample opportunity. 'The NatureScot comment is the first time I am aware that they have got involved in fire matters. They have asked for a 10-metre break. 'There are not really any trees on that ground as it is open ground, but we can talk to them about it.' Green then said: 'Grid connections are virtually non-existent because it is right on the doorstep, so that minimises the impact, but there has been an issue raised in terms of the impact on neighbouring infrastructure. 'I am wondering, in terms of the local development plan and material considerations, what can be done in terms of this impact?' READ MORE: Scottish council says 'cyberattack' behind major drop in council tax collection Moore said: 'Concerns over an impact associated with the development can be material planning considerations, but the weight you should give to something as a determining factor should be based on some form of evidence. 'In terms of the occurrence that you are concerned about actually happening, from my point of view, we have addressed the matters and there is a condition in terms of a fire safety plan. 'It is a difficult area, and although I have not given substantive weight to the risk of fire and consequences, I can understand the degree of confusion and why residents are concerned. 'But we mainly deal with the operational characteristics of a development; not on what happens if it goes on fire.' Independent councillor Douglas Philand then asked: 'In the conditions you have 12 where further information is required before developments can progress, so I do not understand how there can be sufficient information.' Moore responded: 'A lot of conditions are standard conditions and we have to form a judgement on whether, in the absence of that, we do not feel we can put forward a competent recommendation. A lot of conditions are to provide reassurance.' Councillors then unanimously agreed that the application would be best to go to a public hearing, and the decision was confirmed. Clerk Shona Barton advised that the meeting could take place in Taynuilt Village Hall, but was unlikely to be until September at the earliest.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Labour's £20m commitment to a ‘forgotten' housing estate
Hartcliffe, a housing estate in Bristol, is set to receive up to £20m in Labour funding for community-led regeneration as part of a new 'trailblazer neighbourhood' initiative. Residents express optimism about the potential investment, which they hope will address years of neglect and broken promises, particularly for vital community facilities like the Hartcliffe Community Centre. The funding aims to empower the community by giving them control over how the money is spent, addressing concerns about past top-down approaches and ensuring lasting change. Local figures like Kirsty Green, manager of the Hartcliffe Community Centre, and 85-year-old resident Charlotte Gardiner highlight the area's potential and the urgent need for investment after decades of being overlooked. Despite the positive outlook, concerns remain about whether the £20m will be enough, as highlighted by former councillor Paul Smith.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- Reuters
Canada's services PMI rises to 3-month high in May as confidence improves
TORONTO, June 4 (Reuters) - The downturn in Canada's services economy eased somewhat in May as firms grew more hopeful that trade and political uncertainty would become less of a drag on activity over the coming 12 months, S&P Global's Canada services PMI data showed on Wednesday. The headline Business Activity Index was at 45.6 last month, its highest level since February and up from 41.5 in April. Still, it remained well below the 50.0 no-change mark that separates growth from contraction. 'Canada's service sector continued to struggle in the face of ongoing tariff and residual political uncertainty during May, with activity and new business volumes again declining markedly," Paul Smith, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in a statement. 'That said, there are some hopes of greater stability in the year ahead, with confidence improving since April and helping to support some marginal employment growth as firms look ahead to higher workloads in the months ahead." The measure of employment rose to 50.3 from 47.9 in April, showing job increases for the first time since December, while the Future Activity Index was at 58.9, up from 56.4. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party retained power in April's parliamentary elections, promising sweeping changes to Canada's economy. The nation sends about 75% of its exports to the United States, including autos, steel and aluminum which have been hit with hefty U.S. duties. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% from 25%. Tariffs were reported to have raised the price of some products, contributing to cost pressures that firms attempted to pass on to clients, S&P Global said. The prices charged measure rose to its highest level in one year at 54.6, up from 48.0 in April. The S&P Global Canada Composite PMI Output Index was at 45.5 last month, recovering some ground after it hit 41.7 in April, its lowest level since June 2020. Data on Monday showed a slower pace of decline for manufacturing activity in May. The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI edged up to 46.1 from 45.3 in April.
