Solar farm and battery storage at Land Off Stallingborough Road, Keelby, Grimsby

What was proposed

A 40-year solar farm and battery storage scheme included solar panels, electrical equipment, access tracks, fencing, landscaping, woodland and a permissive footpath.

“PROPOSAL: Planning application for construction of solar farm and battery energy storage system, comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, battery containers, transformers, high voltage electrical substation and ancillary infrastructure including underground cabling, fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks, water storage tanks and an attenuation pond together with landscape enhancements, woodland and a permissiave footpath for a temporary period of 40 years (cross…”

“Proposal: The proposal seeks the siting of a solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS), comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, battery containers, transformers, high voltage electrical substation and ancillary infrastructure including underground cabling, fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks, water storage tanks and an attenuation pond together with landscape enhancements, woodland and a permissive footpath, for a temporary period of 40 years.”

Officer report

The site

The 147.63-hectare site lies near Stallingborough Junction and Keelby, with 31.85 hectares within West Lindsey and 110.93 hectares within North East Lincolnshire.

“Site Description: The wider Site is located west and south of the Stallingborough Junction, a grade separated roundabout at the intersection of the A180 and the A1173. The proposed location for the development is centred on TA17736. The village of Keelby is located to the west of the Site.”

“The total site area within the red line boundary is 147.63ha, of which 142.79ha is the principal site and 4.85ha is the cable route corridor. The Site is within the administrative areas of North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and West Lindsey District Council (WLDC).”

Officer report

Planning history

The environmental screening decision found that an environmental impact assessment was not required, while North East Lincolnshire granted permission for its part of the cross-boundary scheme.

“Screening/EIA Assessment: Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017:”

“The application is a Cross Boundary application with North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC). The application was granted permission via a committee decision under application ref: DM/0108/24/FUL.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the renewable energy principle, landscape, residential amenity, highways, drainage, heritage, ecology and agricultural land impacts were considered acceptable with conditions.

“The proposed development has been assessed against policies S1 The Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy, S5 Development in the Countryside, S14 Renewable Energy, S21 Flood Risk and Water Resources, S47 Accessibility and Transport, S49 Parking Provision, S53 Design and Amenity, S57 The Historic Environment, S59 Green and Blue Infrastructure Network, S60 Protecting Biodiversity and Geodiversity, S61 Biodiversity Opportunity and Delivering Measurable Net Gains, S66 Trees,…”

“As a result of this assessment the principle of the renewable energy solar farm is considered to accord with the development plan and would provide a source of renewable energy to the local area through the existing infrastructure in the immediate area. The location of the site is considered appropriate, and the proposed development would not have an unacceptable harmful visual impact on the site or the surrounding area and landscape character.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

Residents, the parish council and a county councillor objected over agricultural land, landscape, ecology, drainage, flooding, archaeology, fire safety, pollution, infrastructure and cumulative effects.

“Loss of agricultural land: The proposal is opposed on the basis that solar panels should not be placed on farmland, as this could reduce domestic food production and increase reliance on imports. ● Visual/landscape objection: The scheme is characterised as a “renewable eyesore”. ● Archaeology: Concerns are raised that geophysical survey results indicate possible archaeological interest, and that a full archaeological survey should be undertaken across the whole site.”

“Loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Agricultural Land ● Landscape / Visual and Cumulative Impact ● Ecology and Biodiversity Concerns ● Noise, Glint, Glare and Construction Impacts ● Existing solar development in the area ● Prime agricultural land ● Too close to housing in Keelby ● Concerns over impact on existing gas infrastructure ● Solar could be provided on existing buildings ● Similar 49.9mw solar scheme granted permission nearby, concerns over cumulative impact ●…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The landowner and applicant supported the scheme, while the ward member welcomed mitigation and benefits but expressed concerns about residential proximity, duration and cumulative effects.

Committee debate

Members discussed renewable energy policy, fire safety, community benefits, decommissioning, restoration, equipment replacement, the aquifer, chalk stream and agricultural land.

“During the debate, clarification was sought regarding the implications of the revised National Planning Policy Framework and the weight to be afforded to renewable energy developments. The Officer advised that Policy S14 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan remained consistent with national policy and that substantial weight should be given to the benefits arising from renewable energy generation.”

“A Member of the Committee sought clarification regarding community benefits associated with the proposal, the Council's interest in the site, planning application fees, decommissioning arrangements and the future management of the site. In response, the Officer advised that community benefit arrangements could not form part of the planning balance and would be addressed separately.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee voted to grant permission for the West Lindsey part of the scheme, subject to updated conditions and additional archaeological, decommissioning and equipment-management requirements.

“With no further comments, the proposal to approve the application, subject to the conditions contained within the updated report together with additional conditions relating to archaeological investigation and mitigation and a decommissioning strategy including a programme of removal and restoration works, was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

“how the land is to be restored and shall include a programme for the completion of the decommissioning and restoration works, including a date by which the decommissioning and restoration works will have been completed in their entirety; • how it shall make provision for the removal from the land of the solar panels and associated above-ground works approved under this permission; • the management and timing of any works; • a traffic management plan to address likely…”

Minutes