Two Solar Farms Refused Planning Permission by West Lindsey District Council

West Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee has rejected two applications for solar farms between Burton and Riseholme following representations of planning grounds for refusal by local residents.

Protestors from Riseholme, Burton and South Carlton outside
the Guildhall, Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough

The two farms, allocated to agricultural land between the villages of Burton and Riseholme, were previously deferred so that the applicants could satisfy concerns over whether the sequential test had been met - meaning the the applicant had chosen the site for the best possible reasons.

The first application by AEE proposed a 42 ha site comprised of two separate elements off the B1398 around Burton by Lincoln village and the A15; whilst a second application by RGE Energy was for the construction of a farm on land off Middle Street, Burton-by-Lincoln.

Numerous residents from Burton and South Carlton (in the Saxilby ward) together with residents from Riseholme (in the Nettleham ward) attended the planning meeting on Wednesday, 12th November 2014 at the Guildhall, Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough. Prior to the commencement of the meeting the group protested with placards, demanding the refusal of the schemes.

Both planning applications were refused by the council.

Cllr. Giles McNeill, who represents the Nettleham Ward, and who seconded refusal of the first application and proposed refusal of the second said:

“Both applications have been refused due to incongruency with the saved Local Plan policies STRAT 12 (Development in the open countryside) and STRAT 13 (undeveloped breaks between settlements and green wedges around Lincoln). We also considered the National Planning Policy Guidance issued in March, earlier this year related to ground-mounted solar photovoltaic farms. 

“Whilst I am all in favour of reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, building a low carbon economy, to protect our global environment - I must have regard to planning policies, and in my view these proposals did not accord with the substantive weight the committee felt should be placed on maintaining the green wedge, and the distinctive breaks between settlements.”

Before the meeting, the group argued that while they were not against the idea of solar power, it was the positioning of the two farms that they disagreed with. Mr. Bill Maris, who farms at South Carlton, said:

“I farm the land near to where the solar scheme is proposed. I’ve just had my soil analysed and some of my land is grade one and it’s certainly all grade two.

“A lot of the land that is proposed for this site will also definitely be grade two and some of it will be grade one.

“I don’t object to solar, I object to it going on good, agricultural land. It should be used for farming and there are many alternatives to energy but there is only one place you can produce food, and that’s on land.

“I suppose to the farmer that is renting the land it’s easy money if you’re offered a thousand pounds an acre for 25 years.”

Local resident Mrs. Sue North said:

 “We are not opposed to solar energy, what we are opposed to is where the farms are proposed for. These farms are on what’s called the green wedge, which was given that status by West Lindsey District Council to separate the countryside from the town.

“The two farms, which we have to look at together because they are side by side, would create a tunnel for the old coach road that people walk through.”

Mrs. Alison Richards added:

“For a lot of people the historic coach road, which is mentioned in the Domesday book, is a recreational route for a lot of people in the area; walkers, cyclists, horse riders and a lot of families use it.

“For many it’s the only route for people to the north of Lincoln without trespassing on a field.”

Mrs. Desiree Applewhite said:

“It might only be a temporary twenty-five years slot but it would ruin an amenity for a generation. There are plenty of other brownfield sites which can be used, such as disused airfields.”

EXCLUSIVE: New Development Considered for Nettleham

A consortia of three landowners have started preliminary discussions with Nettleham Parish Council which will ultimately lead to them seeking to develop a 30 acre (14 hectare) site off Larch Avenue, Nettleham.

It is understood that the range of housing developed could include starter homes for first-time buyers, accommodation for the elderly and even provision of a care/nursing home.

However, owing to changes currently happening in the planning system it is likely that planning permission will not be applied for for at least 18 months, if not 24 months. It is to the credit of the developer that they have approached Nettleham Parish Council to begin consultation with both the council and the wider community.

It is understood that technical assessments have previously been undertaken including ecological, highways and flood risk but that owing to the proximity of the Sewage Treatment Works there may well be some constraints to the extent of the development.

The possibility of what sort of 'planning gain' - benefits for a local community from development - the developer might offer are now being considered. Part of the development of the site might include landscaped areas, woodland planting, walks or an open space amenity which could include sports provision. Local community organisations such as the Nettleham Woodland Trust and the various sports organisations in the village will doubtlessly be approached for comments and ideas.

If and when planning permission is sought by the developer, from West Lindsey District Council, who are the local planning authority, Nettleham Parish Council becomes involved as a statutory consultee. Local people are free to express their view to both the Parish and District Councils. The most persuasive arguments that hold sway, when the Planning and Development Committee at West Lindsey District Council are determining a planning application, are those based on planning policy guidance.

Energy from Waste facility Puts Down Rroots

A special tree-planting ceremony is taking place this week to officially celebrate the start of the construction phase of the county’s new Energy from Waste (EfW) facility.

Above: An artistic impression of the Energy for Waste faclity

Lincolnshire County Council Chairman, Cllr. Peter Bedford, Conservative (Boston Costal Division), will lead the ceremony on Thursday, 12th May 2011. The planting of the tree represents the first of more than eighty new trees that will be planted as part of the landscaping scheme for the site.

Confirmed dignitaries attending include Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Martin Hill, Conservative (Folkingham Rural South Division); Chairman of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, Cllr Lewis Strange, Conservative (Ancholme Cliff Division and & Keley Ward); Chair and Vice Chair of the local EfW Community Liaison Group, Cllr. Matthew Fields and Mr. Ron Blow; Mayor of North Hykeham, Cllr. Mrs. Suzanne Sampson and Director of FCC Projects at Waste Recycling Group, Mr. John Plant.


Executive Member for Waste Services and Chairman of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, Cllr.Lewis Strange, said:

"This is a truly momentous occasion, symbolising the county’s move away from costly landfill sites as a way of getting rid of the waste that residents produce.

"We already have one of the top recycling levels in the county, well exceeding government targets, and I’d urge people to carry on recycling all they can. The EfW facility works hand in hand with our marvellous recycling efforts, as the electricity it produces means we recover something useful from the waste that can’t be recycled. We’re confident that Waste Recycling Group will construct a spectacular facility that residents will be proud of."

Mr. Paul Taylor, Chief Executive at Waste Recycling Group, commented:

"We are very proud to be playing our part in helping the people of Lincolnshire deal sustainably and effectively with the waste left over after recycling. Lincolnshire County Council have certainly put themselves at the forefront of good resource management in the UK and we are fully committed to delivering this ground-breaking facility for them."

Scunthorpe based Clugston Construction, who along with technology partner CNIM, have been chosen by WRG to build the new facility and are currently involved in site preparation works prior to the main construction commencing in early June. Clugston’s Managing Director, Steve Radcliffe, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project which will enable us to draw on our local resources and knowledge”.

The contract between Lincolnshire County Council and Waste Recycling Group who are designing, building and operating the facility was signed on Friday, 4th March 2011. The construction phase started at the end of April.

The 150,000 tonne EfW facility will supply eleven megawatts of electricity to the National Grid. It also has the potential to supply heat to the local community - as existing EfW facilities do in Sheffield and Nottingham - and work is ongoing to explore similar opportunities here. The facility is expected to be up and running by the end of 2013.

Green Overhaul for Planning System to Cut Emissions & Bills

The Housing and Planning Minister, Mr. John Healey MP has today announced a triple boost for councils tackling climate change by updating planning rules, granting nearly 10million to improve green skills and backing further progress by the second wave of eco-towns.
Three planning policies have been overhauled so that councils have the very latest targets and guidance to address climate change, putting them in the driving seat of change.

Combined, the new policy statements (Climate Change, Natural Environment and Coastal Change) will give councils a green planning rulebook so new sustainable developments are planned and built with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and with the future climate in mind.

Proposals for the new climate change planning policy will ensure new developments are built in the right places, utilising sustainable sources of energy and encouraging the installation of electric car charging points.

To help councils, Mr. Healey has today granted nearly 10million to boost their expertise as green champions, updating the tools and know-how they need to develop sustainable housing and energy sources for their areas.

Mr. Healey also confirmed that a further two new areas have been added to proposed eco-town second wave originally announced in December. Two more councils East Devon District Council and Fareham Borough Council have expressed an interest in using eco-town standards for new settlements in their area. The bids need to meet the pioneering green standards set out in the eco-towns planning policy statement published last July, and will be subject to widespread public consultation and local planning approval before going ahead.

The Minister has announced a share of £10,000,000 for these areas, originally announced in December, to help generate plans and early win projects. The funding will help get proposals and masterplans off the ground, introducing greener living not only for people who go on to live in the new eco-towns, but for the thousands of people already living nearby

Mr. Healey, said:

"Today I am announcing a triple boost for councils to tackle climate change. Overhauled planning policies will act as a new green planning rulebook and the 10m for councils will provide training to help deliver action on the ground. I am also pleased to announce two new areas in the eco-town second wave. Councils are making great progress and already highlighting where they can apply tough green standards in new developments. This signals real and radical momentum to change and to re-think how we design our towns and homes for the future.

"We know we need greener, renewable energy if we are to meet our ambitious low carbon targets. We also know that the ways and means for people to access this energy needs to be quicker and easier.

"The tougher, better guidelines for planning give councils a new blueprint, reflecting the latest targets and ensuring councils put combating climate change at the heart of future development ultimately saving people money on their bills and reducing emissions.

"A consultation has been launched today for the new climate change planning policy, to ensure new developments are built in the right places, so that where people live and work helps secure radical cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and developments are resilient to the effects of our changing climate. This includes requirements to reduce the need for people to travel between where they live and work, encouraging the installation of electric car charging points, better public transport and improved walking and cycling links.

"The proposals aim to ensure that more of our energy will be from renewable energy sources, and applications for such sources are approved more quickly. Local councils have a hugely important role to play. Therefore empowering local authorities and giving them the skills to approve these projects means we could release more green energy from developments."

Mr. Healey also confirmed a final planning policy for managing coastal change, giving new planning powers to coastal communities to help their local economy and tourist industry. After extensive consultation, all inappropriate development such as housing will continue to be banned in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion. But there will no longer be a blanket ban on temporary development that has wider economic benefits, an acceptable coastal use and could be relocated when required.

The third boost comes in the form of a consultation on the Natural Environment planning policy, which provides councils with updated guidance to plan for and provide for green infrastructure networks of parks, cycleways, rivers, allotments and trees on streets.

The guidelines aim to boost the nations health and fitness even further by allowing more sports clubs to stay open after dark with hi-tech floodlights that cut light pollution. With floodlighting for local sports pitches, people will have more opportunities to make use of facilities in the evenings.

The City of Lincoln, North Kesteven District, West Lindsey District, and Lincolnshire County Councils wish to achieve zero carbon development that is highly adaptive to climate change and to commit to the Eco-towns Planning Policy Statement standards. A key focus on the future will be on urban extension development options around Lincoln and at Gainsborough. These potential urban extensions are mainly in single ownerships which would help to secure eco-town concepts and a high standard of sustainability. This funding award of up to £1,500,000 will support the Joint Committee in driving forward their core strategy for publication in 2011, by enabling them to undertake a detailed assessment of meeting higher environmental standards, particularly for green infrastructure and energy usage. In Gainsborough it will support a highly innovative project to retrofit existing terraced and new build housing, including the remodeling of a traditional terrace and street, by introducing greenspace and linked to a combined heat and power plant.

Central Lincolnshire Planning Committee Set Sights on Local Development Framework

Local people can now see how Central Lincolnshire is set to shape up as the area's inter-authority planning committee kicks-off its first major project.

The Central Lincolnshire Planning Committee has approved its Local Development Scheme - its first major project since forming in November 2009.

Vice Chairman of the Central Lincolnshire Planning Committee and Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, Cllr. Darren Grice, Conservative (Bracebrdge Ward) said:

"The approval of this first key document is a real milestone for the Committee and shows how partners are committed to delivering co-ordinated developments and decisions across the whole area."

The Local Development Scheme outlines a three-year timetable for the production of the Local Development Framework that will be prepared for Central Lincolnshire. It sets out the current Development Plan and the schedule of proposed local development documents.

In addition, the Local Development Scheme highlights other schemes that will start after the first three years. It is hoped this forward-thinking approach will make sure all partners are fully prepared to carry out future projects.

Cllr. Grice stated that:

"The LDS brings together the aspirations of all partners, and with a number of major schemes set to develop in the near future, it ensures areas within and beyond authorities' boundaries are developed consistently and efficiently."

People can see the full LDS by visiting North Kesteven District, West Lindsey District, City of Lincoln or Lincolnshire County Councils' websites.