The Planning and Regulation Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Monday 7 September 2026. The committee discussed a proposed biogas plant near Anwick, ultimately recommending refusal due to concerns about its impact on landscape, visual amenity, and heritage assets. The committee also considered an application for the Meridian Solar Farm, recommending objection due to significant negative impacts on landscape, public rights of way, heritage, agricultural land, socio-economics, human health, waste management, and cumulative effects. Several traffic regulation orders were also discussed and recommended for approval.

Proposed Biogas Plant Near Anwick Recommended for Refusal

The committee considered a proposal for a biogas plant near Anwick, put forward by Stream Bioenergy UK Ltd. The application sought planning permission for the erection and operation of a biogas plant, including associated highway modifications and landscaping. The officer's report recommended refusal of planning permission.

Key concerns raised during the discussion included:

• Landscape and Visual Impact: Despite proposed mitigation measures such as landscaping and a screening berm, the scale and industrial nature of the development were deemed to be incongruous with the surrounding rural landscape. Concerns were raised that the proposed planting, including non-native poplar trees, would not adequately screen the development and would itself be out of character. The height of the digester tanks and chimney stacks were also noted as significant visual intrusions.
• Heritage Assets: The proximity of the proposed plant to designated heritage assets, including Haverholme Priory (a Scheduled Monument and Grade II Listed Building), its associated structures, and Park Lane, was a major concern. Historic England and the Council's own Historic Environment Officer raised objections, stating that the development would cause substantial harm to the setting of these assets and the wider historic environment. The proposed mitigation, primarily tree planting, was considered insufficient to offset this harm.
• Locational Policy Conflict: The proposed site, located on agricultural land on the edge of Anwick village, was considered to conflict with policies in the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (LMWLP) and the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP) which favour development on previously developed land or land associated with existing industrial or waste management uses, and seek to protect the countryside. While the proximity to Moy Park was cited as a link, the majority of feedstock would still be imported.
• Odour and Air Quality: While assessments suggested that odour and air quality impacts would not be significant with proposed mitigation, concerns were raised by consultees, including Anwick Parish Council and the Environment Agency, about the cumulative impact of odour from the proposed plant, Moy Park, and the Anglian Water Recycling Centre. The Environment Agency noted that a permit would be unlikely to be granted at that time due to insufficient information.
• Cumulative Impacts: The scale of the proposed development, combined with existing industrial uses like Moy Park and the Anglian Water Recycling Centre, was seen as contributing to the industrialisation of the countryside and potentially altering the character of Anwick village. The proportion of industrial land use within the village area would significantly increase if the development were approved.

Despite acknowledging the potential public benefits, including renewable energy generation, job creation, and economic investment, the committee ultimately recommended refusal based on the significant adverse harm identified to landscape character, visual amenity, and heritage assets.

Meridian Solar Farm Application Recommended for Objection

The committee also considered the Meridian Solar Farm application, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) proposed by Meridian Solar Farm Limited. The Council, acting as a host authority, was required to provide comments to the Examining Authority. The committee recommended objecting to the Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

Key concerns raised by the Council include:

• Landscape and Visual Impact: The sheer scale of the proposed 750MW solar farm, covering 1,616 hectares, was deemed to have significant adverse effects on landscape character and visual amenity. The replacement of agricultural land with solar arrays, substations, and overhead lines was seen as transforming the local and regional landscape, impacting its openness, tranquillity, and agricultural character. Mitigation measures were considered insufficient to address these large-scale changes.
• Public Rights of Way (PRoW): Concerns were raised about the broad powers sought in the DCO for temporary closures and restrictions on PRoW, with insufficient detail on management. The proposed permissive path was welcomed but not considered a permanent betterment.
• Heritage Assets: The scheme was considered to have significant adverse effects on the historic environment, including the former Crowland Abbey precinct, Wykeham Chapel, and the wider historic landscape character of The Fens and The Wash. Limitations in the applicant's assessment and the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure were noted as significant concerns.
• Soils, Agriculture and Land Use: Significant concerns were raised about the validity of the applicant's Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys, which appeared to understate the amount of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land affected. The loss of high-quality agricultural land was deemed contrary to national and local policies, especially given Lincolnshire's importance to food production and the disproportionate amount of solar development already proposed in the county.
• Socio-economics: Potential negative socio-economic impacts were identified, including pressure on local accommodation due to the temporary workforce, negative impacts on the visitor economy due to landscape degradation, and insufficient analysis of cumulative effects.
• Human Health: While acknowledging the benefits of renewable energy, the proposal was seen as potentially having adverse impacts on mental health and wellbeing, health inequalities, and local community amenity.
• Waste Management: Significant concerns were raised about the lack of current UK capacity to recycle solar panels and associated equipment at the end of their lifespan, particularly when considering the cumulative waste from multiple solar projects in Lincolnshire.
• Cumulative Impacts: The sheer number of proposed NSIPs and large-scale solar developments in Lincolnshire was highlighted as a major concern, leading to potentially considerable cumulative impacts on landscape, ecology, heritage, waste management, socio-economics, traffic, and agricultural land.
• Traffic and Transport: Further information was deemed necessary to fully assess traffic and transport impacts, particularly concerning junction safety and cumulative effects.
• Water Resources and Flood Risk: While the Lead Local Flood Authority considered the flood risk aspects satisfactorily addressed at this stage, concerns remained about the robustness of the site selection process and the application of sequential and exceptions tests, particularly regarding the occupation of high flood-risk areas.
• Grid Connection: Significant uncertainty and conflict surrounding the grid connection, particularly with National Grid's Grimsby to Walpole project, were highlighted as a major concern, potentially jeopardising the project's deliverability.

The Council recommended objecting to the Meridian Solar Farm DCO application based on these significant negative impacts.

Traffic Regulation Orders Approved

The committee also considered several proposed waiting and loading restrictions across the county.

• Branston, Sleaford Road: Proposed waiting restrictions were recommended for approval to enhance safety and visibility at the junction and footways.
• Langtoft, Manor Close: Proposed waiting restrictions were recommended for approval to manage on-street parking near Langtoft Primary School, aiming to improve visibility and traffic flow.
• North Hykeham, Inns Close: Proposed loading restrictions were recommended for approval to add to existing waiting restrictions around Ling Moor Primary School, aiming to improve enforcement and safety.
• Ropsley, Chapel Hill: Proposed waiting restrictions around the War Memorial were recommended for approval to improve visibility and traffic flow at junctions, despite concerns about parking displacement.

The committee noted the contents of the reports, gave due regard to objections received, and made recommendations to the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport regarding the approval, modification, or withdrawal of these proposed orders.