The Planning and Regulation Committee of Lincolnshire Council met to discuss several traffic regulation orders and a significant application for the One Earth Solar Farm. The committee approved the traffic regulation orders with some modifications and voted to object to the One Earth Solar Farm development consent order application, citing concerns over landscape impact, loss of agricultural land, and other environmental issues.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

Due to the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Councillor Thomas Sneeth was elected as Chairman for the meeting, and Councillor Woodruff was elected to support him with Vice Chairman duties for the meeting only. Councillor Steve Hill expressed his concern that neither the Chair nor Vice Chair were present for such an important agenda item, particularly the solar farm application.

Declarations of Interest

• Councillor Mike Beechin declared an interest in item 4.3, Horncastle-Bowl Alley Lane waiting restrictions, as he lives in Horncastle and is on Horncastle Town Council.
• Councillor Overton declared an interest as she is active in the Cliff Villages Solar Action Group, but has not made any comments on the Highmarnum application.

Traffic Regulation Orders

The committee considered several reports regarding proposed traffic regulation orders¹ in various locations. These were presented by Jeanne Gibson, programme leader of minor works and traffic.

Boston, Peck Avenue - Proposed Waiting Restrictions

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce mandatory school keep clear markings outside the school accesses, applying from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm, and 24-hour waiting restrictions at junctions on Peck Avenue, opposite Revesby Avenue to assist traffic flow, and an extension outside No. 41 to protect visibility of the school crossing patrol. This decision was made despite three objections, including a petition with 94 signatures, citing concerns about adverse effects on residents and parking displacement. Councillor Burnham supported the application, noting the removal of a school crossing patrol due to safety concerns. Councillor Bowles seconded the application, expressing hope that the restrictions would be successful. Councillor Hill raised concerns about the extent of the restrictions and enforcement issues.

Bourne, Burghley Street - Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce a 24-hour waiting restriction throughout Burghley Street. This decision was made despite eight objections from residents concerned about the impact on their ability to park near their properties. Councillor Woolley moved the item, explaining the road's importance for deliveries to shops on North Street and West Street, and the problems caused by parked cars opposite the nursery. Councillor Reeve questioned the ownership and future status of the nearby free car park. Councillor Hill seconded the proposal, noting the availability of parking around the corner. Councillor Bowles requested that future officer reports include photos of the street scene to aid understanding.

Horncastle, Bowl Alley Lane, Stanhope Road & Louth Road - Proposed Waiting Restrictions

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce additional mandatory school keep clear markings and waiting restrictions on Bowl Alley Lane and Stanhope Road to apply at school start and finish times, additional 24-hour restrictions opposite school accesses, and part-time restrictions to restrict parking to one side of the carriageway. The committee also approved extending double yellow lines on Louth Road. This decision was made despite two objections from residents concerned about parking displacement. Councillor Wimhurst moved the item, and Councillor Vernon seconded it, emphasising the paramount importance of children's safety around schools.

Lincoln, Maple Street, Beech Street and Elder Street - Proposed No Waiting at Any Time

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce 24-hour waiting restrictions at the junctions of Maple Street/Beech Street and Beech Street/Elder Street, and opposite Elder Street, to protect access for larger vehicles and ensure clear access to dropped kerbs. The committee also approved extending the restriction along Maple Street's southern side to improve traffic flow. This decision was made despite two objections from residents concerned about the loss of parking space. Councillor Wimhurst moved the item, and Councillor Overton seconded it. Councillor Vernon supported the proposal, highlighting the potential impact on fire vehicles.

Lincoln, Farrington Crescent - Proposed Waiting Restrictions

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce 24-hour waiting restrictions on Farrington Crescent. This decision was made despite six objections, with concerns that the restrictions were excessive and would displace parking. Councillor Reeve moved the item, and Councillor Overton seconded it, noting that most residents have large driveways and there is no automatic right to park on the highway. Councillor Hill questioned where displaced parkers would go.

Louth, New Link Road Between Brackenborough Road and Bolingbroke Road - Proposed 7.5t Weight Limit

The committee approved the recommendation to introduce a 7.5-tonne weight limit on the new link road between Brackenborough Road and Bolingbroke Road. This decision was made despite two objections stating that heavy goods vehicles, including farm vehicles, should be able to use this route. Councillor Reeve moved the item, and Councillor Wimhurst seconded it, noting that lorry drivers will take the shortest route possible.

West Willoughby A153 - Proposed Speed Limit Reduction

The committee approved the recommendation to commence the statutory process for a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce a 40mph speed limit for a section of the A153 passing through West Willoughby. This decision was made on the grounds of a borderline case departure from the Speed Limit policy, with mean speeds of 43 and 45mph recorded. Councillor Overton moved the item, and Councillor Wimhurst seconded it. Councillor Hill expressed concern about the reliance on mean speed to reduce speed limits and the potential for motorists to ignore them.

One Earth Solar Farm Development Consent Order Application

The committee discussed an application by One Earth Solar Farm Limited for a Development Consent Order to install solar PV panels to generate up to 740MW of power, on-site battery storage, and associated infrastructure, including underground cabling to connect to the National Grid substation at High Marnum. Neil McBride, Head of Planning, and Justin Foster, Infrastructure Manager, introduced the report. The committee was invited to approve the submission of the local impact report and to inform the One Earth Solar examining authority of the county council's objection to the development consent order application.

Project Details

The One Earth Solar Farm is proposed to be located on predominantly agricultural land lying to the east and west of the River Trent, straddling the Nottinghamshire-Lincolnshire boundary. The whole site covers an area of 1,409 hectares, with 206 hectares located within Lincolnshire. The development would consist of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating areas, on-site substations, battery energy storage facilities (BESS), and a 400kv cable route corridor to connect the development to a proposed new national grid substation at High Marnum. The development is expected to generate 740 megawatts of electrical output per year and would have an anticipated operational life of 60 years.

Objections and Concerns

The local impact report details the council's proposed comments to the examining authority regarding the likely impacts of the development. The objections outlined in the committee report's recommendation are intended to form the basis of the council's written response. Significant concerns were raised regarding:

• Grid Connection: Uncertainty about the timing of grid connection, as the project relies on a connection to a proposed new substation at High Marnham, which does not yet benefit from planning permission.
• Landscape and Visual Impact: Significant adverse landscape effects on landscape character and visual amenity due to the development's mass and scale.
• Archaeology: Concerns about the assessment, which is considered to fall considerably short of acceptable standards and fails to meet the requirements set out in policy and guidance.
• Agricultural Land: Loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, which is considered significant at district and county level, particularly when considered cumulatively with other large-scale solar schemes in the wider area.
• Minerals: Potential for mineral sterilisation, as parts of the order limits are located within a sand and gravel mineral safeguarding area.
• Waste: Concerns regarding the generation of waste, particularly the cumulative impacts of this development combined with other multiple large-scale solar farms.
• Flood Risk: Lack of sufficient information and evidence to properly interrogate the assertion that the sequential test has been passed with regards to site selection.

Committee Discussion

• Councillor Lock supported the motion to object, expressing concern over the lack of an authoritative body to ensure best practice and safety for battery storage aspects.
• Councillor Woodruff seconded the motion, highlighting the threat to agricultural capacity and the cumulative loss of land.
• Councillor Reeve criticised the term solar farm, calling it solar industrialisation of good farmland, and expressed concern over decommissioning guarantees.
• Councillor Hill criticised the report's positive assessment of economic benefits, arguing that the panels are made in China and the project would negatively impact the local economy by taking land out of production. He also raised concerns about the grid connection issue and the cumulative effect of solar developments.
• Councillor Taylor supported the concerns raised, emphasising the need to prioritise food security and explore alternative energy sources.
• Councillor Murray disagreed with the report and supported the generation of clean, renewable energy to mitigate climate change.
• Councillor Overton opposed the application, calling it a hijacking of the issue for global company profit and advocating for solar panels on commercial roofs instead.
• Councillor Burnham supported the officers' reports and recommendations, expressing concern that Lincolnshire was not automatically included in community benefit considerations.

Decision

The committee approved the submission of the local impact report with amendments and voted to inform the One Earth Solar examining authority of the county council's objection to the development consent order application.