South Holland residents urged to attend Meridian Solar Farm consultations in Crowland, Sutton St Edmund and Weston

Residents are being urged to have their say on plans to build a 1,100 hectare solar farm in the district.

People fighting against the Meridian Solar Farm Ltd, which is looking to develop a 750 MW facility on a swathe of land around Crowland, Shepeau Stow and Sutton St Edmund.

The firm has launched the second phase of consultation for the development - which would cover a larger area than the entire village of Cowbit - and Meridian Action Group (MAG) are calling on people in the area to take part.

A decision on whether the solar farm along with its infrastructure, which includes a 12 to 13km overhead line to hook up the development to the proposed Weston Marsh Substation, will be decided by a Government minister and not local planners.

MAG 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.

"All residents of affected areas should try to attend meetings and familiarise themselves with the plans and ensure their neighbours are aware of these catastrophic proposals for our communities."

MAG say they are most concerned that this entire development is in the wrong place due to the high grading of the land concerned and fears that it could impact food security.

A presentation on the plans was due to be given at Holbeach Parish Council on Monday, May 12, but this is reported to be cancelled.

This latest consultation provides an opportunity to have your say on the initial design before a Development Consent Order application is submitted to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero towards the end of 2025.

Public consultation events will be held on:

• Saturday, May 10, 10.30am – 4.30pm, Sutton St Edmund Village Hall,

• Wednesday, May 21, 2pm – 8pm, Crowland Snowden Pavilion,

• Thursday, May 22, 2pm – 8pm, Weston Village Hall, Small Drove.

Developers are also planning to upload two online information presentations on the Meridian Solar website during the consultation period, which ends on June 8.