Residents to have their say on solar farm plans

People living close to a planned solar farm which would be bigger than any currently built have been invited to meetings with the developers.

The Tillbridge Solar project would cover around 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares), with councillors recently saying the size "beggars belief".

The proposed site is close to the village of Glentworth, between Gainsborough and Caenby Corner in Lincolnshire.

Public meetings will be held in January to gather evidence from the community.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, if approved the Tillbridge project would be able to power around 300,000 homes.

Renewable energy developers Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy and local residents will be able to discuss the proposals.

Classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project the decision to approve the plans will be determined by the government.

The Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation on whether it should be approved, and Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband will make a final decision.

Renewable developers say solar farms will provide vital clean energy in the move to Net Zero.

However, Lincolnshire leaders have complained that developments have been unfairly concentrated in the county.

The government approved two other major farms in Lincolnshire in 2024 – Gate Burton in West Lindsey and Mallard Pass in South Kesteven.

All of the meetings will be held at Lincolnshire Showground and can be joined online.

The full agenda is available on the Planning Inspectorate's website.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.