The planning application that could hold the key to the future of Lincolnshire

A SEEMINGLY innocuous plan to build a substation in southern Lincolnshire could dramatically transform the county. The National Grid hope to build the facility near Navenby to meet demand from several major solar farms in the area.

- BY JAMIE WALLER

If permission for the substation isn't granted, it could potentially hinder the development of several huge solar farms in the area, and campaigners are aiming to sway local councillors and derail the proposals. The substation would occupy 32 acres of land off Heath Lane, just east of the village.

The proposed Springwell, Fosse Green and Leoda solar farms - which would cover nearly 8,000 acres - are all relying on it being built in order to connect to the grid. National Grid says it's legally required to meet requests for connections.

Group members are putting up signs protesting the substation, saying “No to vast solar industry on farmland!”

Frances Innes, a member of the Cliff Villages Action Group who lives in Navenby, says it will be one of the applications the group is seeking to block. “We will be fighting the substation. Our understanding is that if it doesn't get permission, the solar farms in the area won't be able to be connected,” she said.