Greater Lincolnshire mayor weighs legal challenge over approved Springwell solar farm

The row over one of Lincolnshire's biggest energy projects has taken a fresh turn after Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns said she is considering a judicial review over government approval for Springwell Solar Farm near Navenby. The development, described as the UK's largest solar farm, has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero after a public inquiry led by the Planning Inspectorate. The scheme is set to cover land equivalent to about 1,700 football pitches, include battery storage and, according to developer EDF, generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes.

For many readers in Lincolnshire, the decision lands in a familiar and often divisive debate. Large-scale solar schemes have prompted strong views across the county, where farming, open landscapes and rural identity are central to community life. Opposition to Springwell has focused on the loss of farmland, the effect on the surrounding countryside and concerns linked to lithium-ion battery storage.

Dame Andrea said she was deeply disappointed by the decision and made clear she does not intend to let the matter rest. She said she had campaigned against similar developments and argued that Lincolnshire should not become what she called a dumping ground for solar farms. The mayor added that she had taken legal advice and that barristers specialising in the area were considering whether there was a strong enough case to pursue a judicial review.

Her position sets up another high-profile chapter in the county's ongoing argument over how Lincolnshire should balance food production, landscape protection and the national push for renewable energy. Supporters of major solar projects say they are essential if Britain is to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. Ministers have framed Springwell in exactly those terms.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the scheme would help deliver clean, homegrown power under British control and help bring down bills. He also said solar was among the cheapest forms of power available and would help the country move away from international fossil fuel pressures. That national message, however, is unlikely to settle local unease.

In villages and rural communities around the proposed site, the scale of the project has become a focal point for wider concerns about how infrastructure decisions are made and where the burden falls. Springwell is expected to begin producing electricity from 2029. Whether the project now faces a legal challenge remains uncertain, but the mayor's comments suggest the political and community battle over this part of Lincolnshire's future is far from over.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.