Solar farm plan stalled

Plans for a solar farm south of Lincoln have been withdrawn from a government fast-track scheme.

North Kesteven District Council received confirmation yesterday that the Leoda Solar Farm proposal for land between Leadenham and Brant Broughton, has been paused and the current proposal withdrawn as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). 

There are still four other solar NSIP projects currently live in North Kesteven – Heckington Fen, Springwell, Fosse Green and Beacon Fen – as well as others in the county including Tillbridge between Glentworth, Hemswell and Springthorpe and One Earth near Dunham on Trent.

The proposed Leoda Solar Farm could power up to 143,000 homes and, since it generates over 100MW of renewable energy, is a proposal that is determined by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero.

In response Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright, said: “We had noted the slippage in the original programme, in particular the fact that the statutory consultation scheduled for early 2026 had not happened and routine engagement meetings with the promoter had also stalled.

“On the one hand, the news of the promoter pausing their project, and withdrawing it from the Government’s NSIP programme, is noted and explains the absence of the anticipated consultation.  

“However, on the other hand, today’s announcement has a great deal of uncertainty attached to it, since we are being told the project is being paused and not cancelled. This leaves a huge amount of uncertainty for local residents causing on-going disruption to their lives.  

“We will be asking Leoda to be much clearer about its future intentions and its timescales and will share whatever information we get with local people.”