Plans for a substation which could have a dramatic impact on a county’s landscape have been hit by a delay.
National Grid is hoping to build the facility near Navenby, in order to connect several of the enormous “nationally significant” solar farms in the area.
The application was due to begin the planning process last month in one of the most crucial decisions facing Lincolnshire.
Proposed Navenby substation on Heath Lane, Lincolnshire. Photo: National Grid
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that North Kesteven District Council have sent it back and requested more information.
National Grid hasn’t commented on how long this would delay the project, which is required for the solar farms to get online.
A National Grid spokesman said: “We have submitted a planning application to North Kesteven District Council for the proposed Navenby substation.
“The council has requested some additional information as part of the process, which we are working to provide.”
The Cliff Villages Solar Action Group at the site of the approved Springwell Solar Farm on Green Man Road, Navenby. Photo: LDRS
Once the application is accepted, it will be published on the council’s planning website for public comments.
Campaigners against Lincolnshire solar farms see this as a key battle, with the application being determined locally rather than by government ministers.
The substation would occupy 32 acres of land off Heath Lane, just east of Navenby.
The Springwell, Fosse Green and Leoda solar farms, which would cover nearly 8000 acres around North Kesteven, would all rely on the facility.
National Grid says on its website: “There is a shift towards renewable energy sources, meaning there is a greater demand on our network to connect new sources of electricity and customers.
“In the Navenby area a large number of organisations have requested new power connections to the national grid network, and as a regulated business, we have a legal obligation to meet these requests.
“To connect several proposed solar farms in the area, including Springwell Solar and Fosse Green, a new 400 kV substation is needed.
“It is not possible to connect everything proposed in the area to existing regional substations such as Bicker Fen.”
The Springwell solar farm recently won approval, but is now facing a legal challenge from North Kesteven and Lincolnshire County Councils.
The Leoda project has been temporarily put on hold, with the applicant saying it wants to “review and refine” plans.