Solar farm that can power 14,500 homes approved

Plans for a solar farm have been approved after two previous applications in the same area were turned down.

South Kesteven District Council's planning committee agreed to a 46MW solar farm on a 355-acre site in Welby, near Grantham, at a meeting on Thursday.

The development, on pastures Farm, High Dike, is proposed to last for 40 years and would be capable of producing enough power for 14,500 homes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Another application for that part of Lincolnshire was rejected in October 2024 and an earlier proposal was turned down last July.

At the meeting, Charlie Mayer, agent for the applicant, claimed the latest proposal had been the most positively received of the three.

However, Alan Bowling, a member of Londonthorpe and Harrowby Parish Council, claimed the development would detract from the character of Belton House, which borders the site.

"It's in the wrong place," he told the committee.

He also raised concerns about a large herd of deer that followed specific paths in the area. The applicant said there would be gaps in fences for the deer.

Speaking after the meeting, Welby Solar Farm project manager Sam Aitchison said: "We will continue to liaise closely with South Kesteven and local residents to ensure the project is delivered in the best possible way."

The committee had previously rejected a proposal for 62,000 solar panels on fields by Church Lane, Welby, over concerns of the potential loss of grade-three rated farmland.

An application for the Ash Tree Solar Farm on High Dike Road was also rejected.

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