Why is the scheme needed?
UK Climate Targets
The Climate Change Act commits the UK government by law to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050.
The environmental impact of climate change is also linked to significant damage to the UK economy. However, combined, the net-zero transition (estimated to cost a maximum of 2% of UK GDP) is expected to have a net benefit of around 4% of GDP (LSE 2022). Addressing climate change will protect and benefit the UK economy as well.
HM Government’s Net Zero Strategy: Build back greener (2021) confirms:
“By 2035 the UK will be powered entirely by clean electricity, subject to security of supply.”
“A low-cost, net zero consistent electricity system is most likely to be composed predominantly of wind and solar generation”
“The net zero economy will be underpinned by cheap clean electricity, made in Britain. A clean, reliable power system is the foundation of a productive net zero economy as we electrify other sectors – so we will fully decarbonise our power system by 2035”.
Energy Security Strategy
The UK’s Energy Security Plan (March 2023) sets out the steps the Government is taking to ensure the UK is more energy independent, secure and resilient. The Plan builds upon the ambitions set out in the British Energy Security Strategy and the Net Zero Strategy.
It identifies the need for five times as much solar PV deployment by 2035.
It recognises that ground-mounted solar is one of the cheapest forms of electricity generation and is very quick to deploy. It can make a significant contribution to the UK meeting its own energy needs.
Clean Power 2030 Action Plan
The ‘Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era for clean electricity’ was published in December 2024. The plan reflects the shared renewable ambitions of the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments.
The Plan sets ambitious targets, which include 45-47 GW for solar. The image below shows that currently there is 16.6 GW of current installed capacity in the UK with this increasing to 23.8 GW of committed projects or those under construction. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) expect a need for between 45-47 GW of solar by 2030, which is a significant increase from current installed capacity.
Government food policy
The UK Government Food Security Report, published in December 2021, is explicit: “The biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures like soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity.”
The report quantifies this risk, noting that under a medium emissions scenario, climate change could reduce the proportion of ‘Best and Most Versatile’ agricultural land from a baseline of 38.1% to 11.4% by 2050. This would mean a reduction in the UK’s prime agricultural land of almost three quarters.
The Solar Energy UK Briefing confirms that evidence is already available: for example, the drought of 2022 literally caused the potato crop to shrink. Climate change causes crop failure, and solar farms help address climate change. This means solar farms are helping to defend UK and global food supply.
Local targets
South Kesteven has increased renewable energy generation and is more self-sufficient for energy
South Kesteven has a strong low-carbon economy and there are more low carbon employment opportunities
Wildlife habitats are valued, maintained, enhanced and created in South Kesteven and biodiversity is restored
Climate and net zero considerations are fully embedded within South Kesteven District Council’s decision making at every level
Why this site?
This application will be supported by a suite of technical reports which will assess the impacts of the development and explain how the scheme can be implemented in a careful and sensitive manner. Indeed, the site is well suited to accommodate the proposed solar farm development as illustrated by the following key points:
- It is located within viable proximity of a connection to the local electricity network
- It is available for the proposed duration of the scheme
- It avoids Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Agricultural Land
- The site is not subject to any designated Landscape (AONB, Green Belt or National Park)
- No designated Heritage Assets including listed buildings, registered parklands and Scheduled Monuments would be effected
- It avoids sensitive ecological designations (SSSI, RAMSAR Sites or Wildlife Reserves)
- Offers an opportunity to deliver substantial ecological enhancements through a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
- It is located away from nearby residential properties to avoid any amenity impacts
- It is located outside of the Flood Zone
- It benefits from a suitable access for construction and maintenance purposes
- It is sufficiently distanced from other solar farm developments (proposed and existing) as to avoid any significant inter visibility between the projects
The site also sits well within the landscape and the existing hedgerows and planting allows for the panels to be accommodated with the site without appearing prominently within the wider landscape.
Decline of centralised fossil fuel power stations and decarbonising the grid
Seven nuclear power stations have been decommissioned in recent years, and all 14 UK coal-fired power stations closed in September 2024. The urgent need for clean renewable generators to reduce carbon emissions is a pressing issue.
Examples of mass decommissioning of fossil fuel power stations are Eggborough and West Burton A. Eggborough, a 2-gigawatt coal-fired generating plant in North Yorkshire, stopped generating in March 2018. West Burton A in Nottinghamshire closed in March 2023. The last coal-fired power station to be operational was Ratcliff on Soar, which closed on 30th September 2024. The urgent need is not only to replace these generators but also to double electricity generation due to demand.
Increase in electricity demand
Electricity demand is set to double by 2050 due to population growth and the electrification of the UK including changes in industry, increasing domestic demand from increased use of technology like heat pumps and electric cars.
The biggest benefit to solar farms is their role in meeting the National Grid’s renewable energy needs. They provide green electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels which produce harmful greenhouse gases. Solar technology is a proven source of safe, locally produced, and sustainable power. It is locally produced and secure, with no need for tax payers to subsidise its delivery.
Benefits
Click titles below to view benefits of the scheme.
- Delivers green energy generation tackling climate change.
- Can be deployed quickly and removed from the land with minimal impacts when no longer required.
- Allows for agricultural land use and power generation.
- Delivers a net gain in biodiversity of 83% biodiversity units and 18% hedgerow units through new species rich native planting.
- Protects remains of the Roman crossing the site by securing a development-free strip.
- Will help deliver on the locally declared Climate Emergency.
- Supports energy security and less reliance on importation of fossil fuels.
- Helps create a healthier environment through no air pollution.
- Community Benefit Fund offered by developers to support locally identified projects
It is estimated that this scheme will deliver the following economic benefits:
Construction Benefits
Income towards local businesses
New roles created
Supporting existing businesses
Employees and contractors generated
Operational Benefits
Employment generated over its lifetime for maintenance and operation.
Gross value added.
Business rates income over the life of the project.
*all figures are estimated