Solar farm plans given feedback by local residents

Countryside between Leadenham and Brant Broughton, where the Leoda Solar Farm could be built

A developer behind plans for a solar farm in Lincolnshire has met residents from the surrounding area to get feedback on the project.

The 2,400-acre Leoda Solar Farm scheme was unveiled last month for land between the villages of Leadenham, Brant Broughton and Welbourn in the west of the county.

Developer Telis Energy UK said it would produce between 500MW and 600MW, meaning it would be capable of powering thousands of homes.

But objections to the plans were raised when they went on display at Leadenham Village Hall on Tuesday, including criticism that the the design was too big and too vague.

The energy company said it wanted feedback and local knowledge to help improve its proposals.

Tim Willbond, who lives in Leadenham, said he agreed with the need to move to sustainable energy but he was concerned with the scale of the scheme.

"These plans seems completely out of proportion and would have a massive impact on the countryside. If they were scaled down, they might be acceptable," he said.

Tim Willbond said he did not want "big ugly installations" in the countryside

Steve Harwood said the concept was "disgraceful", and added: "The whole area will look very different. Why put the panels in a beautiful part of the countryside like this?"

However, Alex Herbert, head of planning at Telis, said the reception from the community had not been entirely negative, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Most people are asking questions and haven't made up their minds, although you always expect a few objectors," he said.

The solar farm would be between Leadenham, Brant Broughton and Welbourn

He added that Lincolnshire had been chosen for the scheme because it was flat and sparsely populated, with lots of sunshine and a grid connection nearby.

The next round in the consultation process will be held later this year when the plans are refined.

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