Permission has been granted for the Gate Burton Energy Park, located four kilometres south of Gainsborough near Gate Burton, Knaith Park and Willingham-By-Stow.
The development covers approximately 834 hectares and includes solar panels, battery storage, a substation and related infrastructure.
Sunnica on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border, Gate Burton in Lincolnshire and Mallard Pass in Lincolnshire and Rutland have all received consent.
Together, these projects will supply around two thirds of the solar energy capacity installed last year.
Low Carbon, the company behind Gate Burton, welcomed the Energy Secretary’s decision and highlighted the project’s potential to power 160,000 homes and support the goal of a net zero grid by 2030.
West Lindsey District Council participated in the consent process, submitting representations and a local impact report.
They raised concerns about the loss of agricultural land, landscape and visual impact, effects on local communities and highway implications.
Councillor Emma Bailey, Vice Chair of the Prosperous Communities Committee, expressed disappointment, stating the development’s impact on local communities and agricultural land was overlooked.
Emma Bailey said: “The news that the Gate Burton Energy Park has been approved is deeply disappointing. It is clear from the decision report that the impact of this development on our local communities, together with the loss of prime agricultural land has been put to one side and not given due regard.”
Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Solar power is crucial to achieving net zero, providing an abundant source of cleaner, cheaper energy on the mission towards 2030.
“Some of these cases had been held up for months before I arrived in the department. They were put on my desk on Monday and I’ve made a decision in three days.
This is the speed we’re working at to achieve energy independence, cut bills for families and kickstart green economic growth.
“We will make tough decisions with ambition and urgency – all part of our plan to make the UK a clean energy superpower.”
James Hartley-Bond, Low Carbon’s Project Development Director told Energy Live News: “The primary threat to the UK’s food security is climate change.
“This is backed up by DEFRA’s own findings which suggest that climate change could reduce the proportion of ’best and most versatile’ farmland in England and Wales from 40% today, to 10% by 2050 if we do not take urgent steps to decarbonise the economy.
“The Gate Burton Energy Park will make a material contribution in the fight against climate change, providing clean, secure electricity for approximately 160,000 homes and helping cut bills for consumers while boosting our energy security.
“We estimate the project will create more than 350 jobs per annum during peak construction, many of which will be sourced locally, as we look to train up the next generation for one of the major growth industries of the next decade.
“As the project makes further progress we are committed to engaging closely with local residents, business owners and other key stakeholders to ensure we listen to their concerns and deliver this project responsibly.”
