Action group opposed to solar farm on land near Spalding and Holbeach say Government’s green light for huge Lincolnshire projects is ‘concerning’

Campaigners opposed to farmland becoming a solar farm project say that two nearby projects being given the green light are ‘concerning’.

The Meridian Action Group is opposed to Downing Renewable Developments’ plans to build the Meridian Solar Farm with battery storage facility on several parcels of land around Cowbit, Whaplode Drove and Holbeach Drove, a facility which would power around 215,000 homes.

The Government’s Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband recently gave the thumbs up for two huge solar projects in Lincolnshire, the 524-hectare Heckington Fen Solar Park between Heckington and Swineshead and the 1,031 hectare West Burton Solar Farm near Saxilby.

This decision was labelled a ‘slap in the face’ by Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment, economy and planning at Lincolnshire County Council.

Members of the Meridian Action Group have been frustrated by these decisions but hold out hope it could work in their favour,

“I understand within Lincolnshire we’re almost five times oversubscribed with projects to get to the level of which we’re at net zero by 2030,” said group member Helen Huyton.

“I suppose in a way the more projects that get passed the less likely others are.

“But it is concerning and really worrying that this Grade I and Grade II land is being taken over by solar panels when there’s other alternatives.

“Recently within the media there’s been a lot more discussion about other options (for solar panels) like rooftops and brownfield sites.”