A 3,000 acre solar farm project in Lincolnshire has received Government approval despite opposition from the county council.
The Tillbridge Solar Project, set to be the largest solar farm in the UK, was yesterday granted development consent.
Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey MP, made the decision on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, who is explained in a letter to have concluded that the ‘public benefits associated with the proposed development outweigh the harm identified’.
Delivered by Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy, it is suggested that the project could deliver 1,250 jobs and generate power for roughly 300,000 homes.
However, the scheme has received opposition from Lincolnshire County Council due to concerns about its impact on agriculture, rural land and local communities.
Cllr Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, labelled the Government’s approval of the decision ‘appalling’. Cllr Matthews said: ‘This solar factory will be the biggest in the UK and absolutely dwarf nearby villages, destroying the character of the area, and eating up high-quality agricultural land that the UK needs for its food security.
‘The fact the objections of local people and councils are waved aside for these massive projects in our area is beyond frustrating.’ He added: ‘Residents have yet to see any reduction in their energy bills or other benefits from having these mammoth eyesores on their doorsteps.’
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