Solar farm plans approved despite village concerns

Plans for a solar farm in North East Lincolnshire have been approved by the council.

The Grange Energy Park, situated off Riby Road between Stallingborough and Keelby, would be capable of powering up to 16,000 homes and includes a battery storage facility, developers have said.

North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee voted unanimously in support of the scheme, despite concerns over the loss of agricultural land and the battery storage system being a potential fire hazard.

The authority heard the soil quality on which the solar farm would be developed was poor. However, one councillor described the application as "one of the best we've seen".

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors were told the development would occupy about 387 acres (156 hectares) of land, with more than 1,200 acres (485 hectares) left for agricultural production, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Harry Burt, whose family has farmed the area for 50 years, told the committee he planned to increase the number of sheep on the farm.

"We are exploring opportunities to graze sheep on the land, retaining some agricultural production alongside energy production," he added.

Rules are in place for developments in England to increase biodiversity by 10% under the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy to compensate for the loss of nature.

Developers said they planned for a 60% BNG.

However, the scheme received a number of objections including from Healing Parish Council, Keelby Parish Council and some local residents.

Nick Bowen, who represents developer Island Green Power Ltd, said the firm had engaged extensively with the local community.

Feedback resulted in proposals for extra trees and the battery energy storage system being located to a central position, he said.

Officers said a detailed fire risk assessment had also been carried out with both Lincolnshire and Humberside Fire and Rescue services.

The scheme received unanimous support with councillor Tim Mickleburgh describing it as "a win-win situation".

Councillor Henry Hudson told the meeting: "I think this is one of the best ones we've seen".

The site is located in two council areas and a planning application has also been lodged with West Lindsey District Council, which is yet to decide on the proposals.

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