Plans are in motion to develop 13 major solar farms across Greater Lincolnshire, though they face opposition from local residents and councillors alike.

Proposed for land in and surrounding Stamford, is Mallard Pass Solar Farm.

Together, these sites, currently at different stages of development, could provide electricity to an estimated 1.3 million households annually. Yet, concerns about the amount of agricultural land they would occupy are growing.

While the proposed projects would cover just over 1% of the region's farmland, many fear the potential impact on the nation's food supply.

Councillor Colin Davie (Conservative), Executive for Economy, Environment, and Strategic Planning at Lincolnshire County Council, expressed his concerns.

He said: "The council continues to face considerable pressure with a huge number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning (NSIP) applications within our planning system.

"A number of these relate to large scale solar on high quality farmland, which should be used for the securing of UK food security.

"There is no value in using Lincolnshire's high quality and productive land for the farming of intermittent and unreliable renewable energy schemes.

"We believe that Lincolnshire's contribution to future society should be to grow the food our nation needs on some of the finest farmland our country has available.

"The county planning committee will determine the council's response to each application, on its own merits, and will issue its formal position through our proper process."

Tom Bradshaw, Deputy President of the National Farmers Union, added: "Renewable energy production is a core part of the NFU's net zero plan and solar projects often offer a good diversification option for farmers.

"However, there is a need to strike a balance between food security and climate ambitions. It is important that large scale solar farm development is located on lower quality agricultural land, avoiding the most productive and versatile soils.

"Utilising roofs and farm buildings for solar should also be incentivised as it delivers a sustainable method of energy production while avoiding any land use conflict."

Here's a comprehensive list of all the solar farms proposed in Lincolnshire over the next few years.

One Earth Solar Farm

Danish multinational energy company Ørsted is set to venture into the UK solar energy market with a 740MW solar farm straddling the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border, potentially becoming one of the UK's largest solar projects.

The One Earth Solar Farm is envisaged to span both banks of the River Trent, south of Dunham on Trent and Newton on Trent. It is projected to generate sufficient energy to power over 200,000 homes annually.

Residents of Newton on Trent have already expressed their support for the project, citing solar power as "the way forward."

Holbeach St Matthews Solar Farm

In recent developments, Green Energy International has laid out plans for an expansive 114-hectare solar farm on farmland in Holbeach, presenting them to South Holland District Council for approval.

The ambitious project, poised at Caudwell Farm, Holbeach St Matthews, seeks to establish a 49.9MW ground-mounted solar array. The design includes an underground cable route, a dedicated substation, and an advanced battery energy storage system.

As detailed in the design and access statement, the proposed site encompasses six large fields.

Tillbridge Solar Farm

Tillbridge Solar Farm would generate more than 50MW of clean, green energy which could power around 20,000 homes.

The proposed development would be located on land to the south, east and south east of Gainsborough as well as the north west of Lincoln. Electricity generated from it would then connect to National Grid's Cottam substation in Nottinghamshire.

Developers Tillbridge Solar are currently in the middle of refining their proposals, but Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh said this land would be much better used for agriculture instead.

He said: "With the war in Ukraine, and wheat prices going through the roof, it is madness to take this amount of good agricultural land out of production.

"We want 100,000 acres of good agricultural land in the breadbasket of England taken out of agricultural use?"

Hatton Solar Farm

Plans for a near 50MW solar farm on the outskirts of Horncastle have also ignited discussions among councillors, revealing divisions in opinions.

The project, which is a joint effort between renewable energy developer Push Energy and Sustainable Planning Design Studio, promises to provide enough energy to power approximately 21,000 UK homes. Despite concerns, it has gained backing due to its potential contribution to the district's net zero carbon emissions targets.

In a closely contested decision, East Lindsey councillors approved the application with a 5-4 vote in March. They justified their decision by highlighting the solar farm's role in achieving environmental goals and assured that the majority of the panels would be obscured from the view of neighbouring residents.

Mallard Pass Solar Farm

The proposed Mallard Pass Solar Farm has faced heavy criticism from campaigners and local MPs as plans show it would stretch 4.2 miles along the Stamford and Rutland border.

The development would produce enough energy to power 92,000 homes over the next 30 years, according to the developers.

MPs Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton) and Gareth Davies (Stamford and Grantham) said the substantial development would spoil large amounts of wildlife environment, take away productive agricultural land and would be seen for miles around.

Despite concerns, the Planning Inspectorate agreed to examine the proposal in December last year and entered into the examination phase in May.

Mallows Solar Farm

In December 2022, East Lindsey District Council greenlit plans for a 10MW solar farm situated west of Mallows Lane and north of Pymoor Lane in Sibsey, albeit with conditions.

Pathfinder Clean Energy UKDev Ltd, the driving force behind the proposal, expects the site to power more than 4,500 homes and counteract over 3,300 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Following its 40-year operational span, the entire infrastructure will be dismantled, ensuring the preservation of the agricultural land. The development team is currently addressing the stipulated conditions before beginning construction work.

Springwell Solar Farm

Springwell Solar Farm, a joint venture backed by EDF Renewables UK and Luminous Energy, is poised to be a big addition to the renewable energy landscape.

With its envisioned capacity, the solar farm could cater to the electricity needs of approximately 180,000 homes. The project, spread across agricultural terrains near Blankney, Scopwick, and Ashby de la Launde, underscores a commitment to green energy.

Currently, developers are embarking on a Land Referencing process, executed under the expertise of Gateley Hamer, to gather intricate details essential for the Springwell Solar Farm's development.

Heckington Fen Solar Farm

Based on the outskirts of Sleaford, the 500MW the proposed Heckington Fen Solar Farm includes solar panels, energy storage and a grid connection to Bicker Fen National Grid substation.

Supporters say it would help fight against climate change, with this project powering the equivalent of 100,000 homes with green electricity and preventing around 75,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

The Heckington solar panels would be in place for approximately 30 to 40 years before being decommissioned.

The proposed plans were accepted for examination by the government's Planning Inspectorate in April.

Beacon Fen Energy Park

Plans for another solar farm poised between the villages of Heckington and Helpringham have also been revealed.

The proposed Beacon Fen Energy Park, developed by energy company Low Carbon, boasts a potential capacity of up to 600MW. If approved, the park could power around 190,000 homes and contribute to a substantial reduction in annual CO2 emissions by 120,000 tonnes.

The energy park is slated to connect to the nearby Bicker Fen substation, promising efficient energy distribution.

In July, revisions were made to the initial proposal following an early consultation. The updated plans have excluded Beacon Fen South, a decision influenced by the site's proximity to the proposed Anglian Water Lincolnshire reservoir, which could have resulted in planning delays.

Cottam Solar Project

Island Green Power (IGP) are proposing two projects that cross the county border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

The Cottam Solar Project is envisaged to boast a generation capacity of 600MW, sprawling across three sites and enveloping a total area of 1,270 hectares.

Energy harnessed from these sites is set to be channelled into the national electricity transmission system via the National Grid's 400kV Cottam substation in Bassetlaw.

Following an inaugural meeting on 5 September 2023, stakeholders await the release of the final examination timetable.

West Burton Solar Project

Parallel to the Cottam initiative is the West Burton Solar Project, a venture with a potential capacity of up to 480MW over 788 hectares.

Energy will be transferred to the West Burton Power Station in Bassetlaw via underground cables, ensuring an efficient and aesthetic energy transmission process.

In April, the government accepted the controversial plans for examination. The West Burton project alone would generate enough clean energy to power 144,000 homes but with Cottam could generate enough for 324,000 homes.

They said the acceptance for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, the body responsible for dealing with national infrastructure planning applications in England, was a "significant milestone".

Bicker Fen Solar Farm

In July, the Bicker Fen Solar Farm plan gained approval from the Boston Borough Council's Planning Committee.

The approved design unfolds across 97 hectares in Bicker Fen, positioned to the north of Northorpe and west of Bicker.

The farm would have capacity to generate up to 49.995 MW at its peak.

Manned by AGR Solar 2 Ltd, the solar farm is slated to operate over a 40-year time period, after which it will be decommissioned.

Gate Burton Energy Park

Another development planned for the Gainsborough area is the Gate Burton Energy Park, which would have the generation capacity of 500MW – enough to power more than 160,000 homes and avoid over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

The extent of the land available to deliver the project is contained within one site, near Gate Burton, Knaith Park and Willingham-by-Stow.

The developers, Low Carbon Limited, have already submitted their Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate, who have accepted it for examination, despite Lincolnshire County Council saying it is "ringing alarm bells".

Does a green revolution await in Lincolnshire?

As Greater Lincolnshire stands on the cusp of a renewable energy revolution, the proposed development of 13 major solar farms has ignited a debate on the region's future.

While the potential to power an estimated 1.3 million households annually is promising, concerns over the sacrifice of prime agricultural land and its implications on the UK's food security remain.

The decisions made in the coming months will undoubtedly set a precedent for the region's energy and agricultural landscape.