Objection to solar farm that 'beggars belief'

The scale of one of the largest solar farms in the UK "beggars belief", a meeting has heard amid claims it would "industrialise the countryside".

The proposed Tillbridge Solar project in Lincolnshire would cover about 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares), making it larger than any currently built.

It would be concentrated around the village of Glentworth, south of the A631 between Gainsborough and Caenby Corner.

The plans are so large they will be determined by the government, rather than a local council, but West Lindsay councillors registered strong objections at a planning committee meeting on Monday.

The project is a joint venture between renewable energy developers Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy.

If approved, it would be able to power about 300,000 homes.

It would be located between three other large solar farms that are either already approved or are seeking the green light, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Tom Ashton described the project as “the thin end of the wedge of climate madness” and said: “Its scale and mass beggars belief."

Councillor Marianne Overton told the committee: “Solar farms are acceptable if it’s a field here or there, but it’s folly on this scale.”

Councillor Neil Murray was the lone voice of opposition.

He said: “We can’t always say no. Lincolnshire needs energy. Sometimes land should be used for renewable energy so we don’t have to rely on Vladimir Putin.”

The council’s report said the impact on the landscape and loss of farmland would be unacceptable.

It also raised concerns about the disposal of solar panels which are no longer usable, which are expected to be 40,000 per year for this application and potentially half a million if all solar farms in the area are approved.

The report and objection will now be sent to the Planning Inspectorate, who will prepare a report for Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband.

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