Huge Lincolnshire farm's solar panel plan leaves local community shocked
Historic Blankney Estate wants to transform 4‚500 acres into a massive solar energy site. Local residents and officials push-back against the plan that would affect 10 villages in Lincolnshire
In a ground-breaking move the historic Parker family plans to transform one-third of their 14‚000-acre Blankney Estate (located in UKʼs prime farming region) into a huge solar installation
The mega-project‚ developed with Frances EDF and Luminous Energy would cover a mind-boggling seven square-miles of farmland - about 10x bigger than Hyde Park; bringing in roughly £5m yearly income for the estate owners
We are the breadbasket of England but this development will destroy some of the countyʼs best and most versatile land
Local communities face serious changes: the Springwell Solar Farm would affect 10 villages and thousands of residents. The 800-megawatt installation (similar to a nuclear power station) would only work in day-time though
The estate - mentioned in ancient records from 11th century - currently produces tons of food yearly. Michael Parker‚ Richard Parker‚ and Julia Parker lead the estate which reported £2.6m profit last spring but faces £31m in short and long-term debt
- Brexit impact
- Ukraine conflict effects
- Rising business costs
- Reduced farming subsidies
This plan is awful but we are tenants of the estate so we cant say anything
The solar-farm would give landowners £1‚000-1‚200 per acre yearly (way more than traditional farming profits) The planning decision is expected by mid-december: if approved it might open doors for similar projects across eastern England
