UK’s largest solar farm gets go ahead
The government has given the green light to the Tillbridge Solar Project – an energy generating installation, which will cover the land the size of 3,500 football pitches north of Lincoln.
While Energy Minister Michael Shanks has hailed it is a major project which will create 1,250 jobs, power hundreds of thousands of homes and help drive down energy bills, there is opposition from Lincolnshire County Council.
This is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) proposed for 1,400 hectres of land eight miles north of Lincoln in the district of West Lindsey.
The solar farm would connect to the National Grid’s Cottam power station via underground cables and would generate more than 500 megawatts (MW) of green energy – enough to power around 300,000 homes.
The Energy Minister said: “Families across Lincolnshire and the rest of the country have seen their energy bills go through the roof as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices.
“Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest power sources we can build, it is crucial in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower – giving us energy security, good jobs and growth across the country.
County Council leader Cllr Sean Matthews, countered: "It's appalling that the Government have decided to approve this application. This solar factory will be the biggest in the UK and absolutely dwarf nearby villages, destroying the character of the area, and eating up high-quality agricultural land that the UK needs for its food security.
"The fact the objections of local people and councils are waved aside for these massive projects in our area is beyond frustrating. And with dozens more nationally significant infrastructure projects proposed in Lincolnshire, I fear this won't be the last time.
"Other than destroying our prime agricultural land and changing the very character of our rural county, what do projects like this actually bring to Lincolnshire? Residents have yet to see any reduction in their energy bills or other benefits from having these mammoth eyesores on their doorsteps.
"We need the Government to start valuing productive agricultural land and the concerns of local communities and stop treating Lincolnshire as a dumping ground for its projects."
The proposal is a joint venture between Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy and did not go through the usual local planning process, but was approved by the Secretary of State, Ed Milliband, following a six-month examination by the government’s Planning Inspectorate via a Development Consent Order. This followed public consultation at meetings held in the area at the start of 2025.
Luke Murray, CEO at Tribus Clean Energy, said: “We’re delighted to have confirmation that Tillbridge Solar has been granted consent, and we can’t wait for the project to start delivering clean energy for people across the UK. As we head to construction, we’re committed to continuing our work with local communities to ensure the project is delivered in a way which respects and works with the area.”
Keith McKinney, General Manager, UK & Ireland at Recurrent Energy, added: “Tillbridge is one of the most significant solar projects planned for the UK to date and we’re thrilled to see the ambition behind it backed by the Government today with their decision to award consent. Through our plans, we’ll not only deliver clean energy for hundreds of thousands of homes, but develop the project in a way that gives back to the environment around it, and supports the local communities it is rooted in.”
