Plans for a major solar farm in North Lincolnshire approved
Councillors backed the project for Carr Road at Ulceby
A major solar farm that could produce enough energy for more than 10,100 homes has been approved.
Lightrock Power Ltd successfully applied for permission for a 39MW solar farm off Carr Road, Ulceby, that will be there for 40 years. A number of neighbouring residents opposed the project, with concern especially over traffic during the construction period.
Construction is expected to take six months. The application’s own transport statement predicts more than 7,600 associated vehicle movements during this phase. Carr Road is a single track road. The application had been deferred a month, allowing councillors to visit the site.
Temporary passing bays will be created in Carr Road before any works, though an objector said these could attract “undesirable behaviour”. One recommended condition was also amended since it was last at North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee. This will require a full review with the council’s highways team of the best route for construction vehicles before any works start.
“The chosen location is unnecessarily close to both residential and leisure establishments and has been selected for purely commercial reasons with no consideration for impact on existing residents, users and wildlife,” argued Richard Blackshaw, co-owner with his wife of a campsite, Hillcrest View, about 50 metres away. Another near neighbour, Phil Jepps, hoped councillors had seen on the site visit the negative impact it would have on his and other nearby properties.
The passing bays he predicted would “become places for undesirable behaviour”. The area already attracted a criminal fraternity, which he had been targeted by. “The establishment of these bays will be a welcome dumping site,” he also warned.
Ulceby Road Safety Group’s Stuart Smith said a number of residents were concerned about the construction traffic. He requested a traffic management plan, and suggested Crookmill Road was, on balance, better for construction vehicles.
Chris Sowerbutts, co-founder of Lightrock Power Ltd, explained why it had chosen this site. The Yorkshire-based solar farm developers had projects in England, Wales and the USA. “One of the key criteria is whether there’s sufficient capacity in the local electricity network to take the power generated.” A 33KV circuit runs out of Immingham to Barrow, through the site, he said.
Lightrock developed the Ulceby site in partnership with Bluefields, who will deliver its construction. “We are aware that solar farms are not everyone’s cup of tea, and we strive to meet sensitivities,” he said. It regularly had community benefit funds linked to such projects and promised one for Ulceby. He suggested the village hall as a possible recipient as feedback had been received about its vandalism.
Mr Sowerbutts rejected a claim by Mr Blackshaw that the solar farm would bring in no rates cash. He said it was expected to bring in £4m in business rates during its lifetime.
“The thing that struck me was the colossal size of it,” said Cllr Carl Sherwood, reflecting on the earlier site visit. “A project of this size, it’s going to take a long time, and there’s going to be a lot of traffic.”
Reassured about the amended condition requiring a best route review before works, he backed it. “Having taken it all into account, I can only see that it would do good for the environment.”
Cllr David Wells was the only person to oppose approval. He could not see any viable route for the construction traffic.
During his objection speech, Mr Blackshaw questioned Lightrock’s responsibility credentials, pointing to it not retaining interest in sites in the long-term. One of two examples he shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was a 33MW solar farm in Durham. Approved in 2022, the company behind the plans had since been transferred over to individuals residing in Germany.
Mr Sowerbutts was asked by the LDRS for reaction to the approval, detail on the community benefits fund including any figures, and how long Light Rock stays in a project in the long-run. “We’re grateful for the members giving such careful consideration and taking the time to visit the site before coming to their decision,” said Mr Sowerbutts.
“The community fund will be developed in collaboration with local community stakeholders. Lightrock specialises in design and permitting of projects; our partners (who are typically involved at the early stages too, such as the case here) go on to build, own, and operate them, as that’s their specialism.”