NELC's planning green light for solar farm on farmland on outskirts of Grimsby-area village

The Stallingborough field that has been earmarked for a solar farm

THE planning thumbs-up has been given for a solar farm to be built on 387 acres of farmland outside a Grimsby-area village.

At this month's North East Lincolnshire Council planning committee, councillors backed the proposal by London-based Island Green Power to install the panels and storage batteries on a cereal field off Riby Road in Stallingborough.

A small part of the site comes under the jurisdiction of West Lindsey District where the parish council in Keelby was opposed to the project.

Said its spokesperson Cllr Robert Dannatt: "We as a full council strongly object to this proposal for the following reasons -

1. As Keelby is sighted directly next to the proposed development therefore it will have a profound effect to the village due to the loss of natural views across open farmland and the unsightly view the the village will have to endure for many years.

2. The safety risk to all that live in Keelby due to the large battery storage that is known and documented to have a toxic environment and health impact to all that breathe in the fumes in the event of a fire that cannot be put out only managed. 

3. The loss of good quality farmland that, in the event of a further world disaster, would help us to maintain our independence.

4. The loss of property value in the village without any guarantees that all will be compensated for the full term of the project.

5. The village will not benefit by way of reduced energy bills as the electricity that is to be produced on this site is not going directly to our grid.

6. We have environmental concerns due to the number of run-off water courses that go from the village and travel through Stallingborough before entering the Humber Estuary.

7. We have the backing of most of the village when we say that we strongly oppose this.

However, councillors did not find this objection compelling, preferring the observations of landowner and farmer Harry Burt, of Riby Grange Farm, who addressed the meeting.

"The land we have put forward for solar is not our most productive. 

"It is heavy clay land, which often is too wet to plant. 

"If weather permits and we do manage to plant a crop, we have seen numerous crop failures due to wet weather and heavy weed burdens in the soil, namely black grass, a weed that is extremely hard to control in arable rotation. 

"Long periods of grass fallow would seem very beneficial to the soil to add structure and lower the weed burden, so future arable production on the land can thrive." 

He insisted: "This is not a permanent change of use. Solar does not mean the end of agricultural production.

"We are not just arable farmers, but have livestock too - this being beef cows and a small flock of sheep. 

"In the event of solar been installed on the land,  we are exploring opportunities to graze sheep on the land, retaining some agricultural production alongside energy production. "

A condition of consent is that mitigation must be provided for loss of habitat for Skylarks, Grey Partridges, Yellow  Wagtails and other farmland birds that nest on or around the field. 

Setback for Cyden Homes as NELC planners turn down proposal for 300 new homes in New Waltham

                                                                          

The arable field earmarked for a new housing estate

THERE was a blunt message to Grimsby-area housebuilders at today's North East Lincolnshire Council planning committee.

Cllr Ron Shepherd warned them: "We're not going to bend down and tell them they can build more houses.

"We need to get this message across to developers."

Cllr Shepherd (Con, Scartho) went on to say that he would be "embarrassed" if the authority were to approve a proposal for construction of  up to 300 houses on agricultural land west of Louth Road in New Waltham.

The application had been submitted by locally-based Cyden Homes that prides itself on giving employment to 90 staff and supporting local manufacturers and suppliers.

But, whooped on enthusiastically by between 30 and 40 residents, councillor after councillor spoke against the proposal which was unanimously refused after  planning case officer Bethany Loring explained that the greenfield site had not been designated for development in the Local Plan.

Said Ms Loring: "This development would bring visual intrusion into open countryside to the detriment of the character of the area."

She also noted that Cyden had declined to provide a survey of the land which is of archaeological interest because crop circles have been detected.

And she also expressed misgivings about the potentially adverse  impact on overwintering birds including waders and wildfowl if the project were to go ahead. 

Other speakers in the 50-minute discussion included Cllr Ian Lindley (Con, Scartho) who was critical of a highway officer's report that the proposed development would have "no significant impact" on traffic flow.

Noting that traffic is invariably heavily congested in rush hours, he described the officer's comment as "absolutely ridiculous".

In the past, Cyden Homes has sometimes appealed (successfully) when NELC planning decisions have gone against it, but, on this occasion, it might think twice about doing so given that the site is outside the development boundary. 

                                                          

The proposed layout of the development if permission had been granted

                                                    

Proposed 44-lodge park near Tesco superstore should boost employment - but at a cost to nature

Some groundworks are still required before the lodges can be brought on site

 

ALTHOUGH  some trees have been retained on the boundaries, most of the private woodland near the Cleethorpes Tesco superstore has now been cleared to make way for a 44-lodge holiday park. 

Much of the clearance work on the site off Hewitts Avenue was carried out last year. 

The works have created employment, but one downside of the proposed development is that, with the loss of most of the trees, there has been an inevitable forfeiture of habitat for wildlife including unusual songbirds and butterflies. 

It has not yet been announced when the next stage of development will take place, nor when the park is likely to open for its first visitors.

How the mighty are fallen - but at least some trees have survived

                                                     

The boundary trees  screen out the adjacent Altyre Way car showrooms

The proposed lay-out of the lodges is indicated in this design submitted by Cleethorpes-based Hodson architects   
                                                 

Alive with songbirds, butterflies, bees and wildflowers - the same site as it was before the trees were felled

Sun likely to shine favourably on plan to build solar farm following firm's assurance on fate of Skylarks

                                             

The Skylark - a declining farmland bird that has inspired many poet with its long liquid song usually uttered high above ground  

ALTHOUGH it says it still has "significant concerns" about a proposed solar farm being built on a field outside a Grimsby-area village, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has withdrawn its initial objection.

The  trust's  change of tack follows an assurance by the developer that an adjacent 16.5-hectare field will be managed for the benefit of farmland birds such as Skylarks that will be displaced from the application site - a medium-grade  arable crops field off Riby Road in Stallingborough.

When a bird survey was carried out of the field two summers ago, it revealed the presence of 58 species, including up to 20 Skylark territories.

Also recorded were other increasingly scarce farmland species such as: 

* Grey Partridge

* Cuckoo

* Lesser Whitethroat

* Yellow Wagtail

* Yellowhammer

* Stonechat  

* Quail 

* Grasshopper Warbler.

No Barn Owls were sighted during the survey, but there are two owl nest boxes within the site, and fresh owl-regurgitated pellets were found during an internal inspection of a small barn.

The applicants for the Stallingborough Energy Project are London-based Island Green Power which is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the multinational Macquarie Asset Management company,

Island Green Power says it will mitigate for the loss of the Skylark field both by creating new habitat for this species on the  neighbouring  field and by installing  60-plus nestboxes, including four for Barn Owls.

At a planning meeting in Grimsby Town Hall next Wednesday April 22, North East Lincolnshire Council case officer Richard Limmer will recommend members to approve the application.

The Stallingborough field that has been earmarked for a solar farm

                            

Crunch planning decision expected next week on proposal for up to 300 homes on greenfield site between Waltham and New Waltham

                                                                  

The site off Louth Road which has been earmarked for the controversial development

There could be a setback for local property developer Cyden Homes' proposal to build up to 300 houses on agricultural land to the west of  Louth Road on the boundary of Waltham and  New Waltham.

At a meeting next Wednesday April 22, North East Lincolnshire Council's planning case officer, Bethany Loring,  will  recommend that councillors should refuse the application.

In her  report to the committee, she states: "The proposal would extend into the rural landscape between Grimsby, Waltham and New Waltham, resulting in a visual intrusion which would be detrimental to the character and value of this countryside location. 

"Due to this extension into the rural landscape, the housing and its extent would be more prominent and dominant when compared to the existing. 

"It is recognised that the indicative details include a landscaping buffer to the sites southern edge, but the loss of the field and its replacement with a housing estate would fail to have regard to the intrinsic character of this countryside location." 

The report continues: "It is a pleasant landscape with rural qualities and  a sensitivity to change. "

More than 60 nearby residents have lodged objections to the project as have both Waltham and New Waltham Parish Councils.

Meanwhile, another objector, Cllr Ron Shepherd (Con, Scartho), is expected to speak against the application at Wednesday's meeting.

On an ornithological note, winter bird surveys were conducted twice monthly from November 2025 to February 2026 - a total of eight visits. 

In total,  49 bird species - including Barn Owl, Green Sandpiper and Great Spotted Woodpecker - were recorded foraging for food or flying over the site. 

Even if the committee refuses the plan, it might not be the end of the story.

Cyden Homes could submit an appeal with the independent Planning Inspectorate, though this might not be heard until next year.                                            

Barn Owl and Great Spotted Woodpecker are among the bird species seen on periphery of  the field

Property in Grimsby's Lord Street could be converted to House in Multiple Occupation if planners approve

This property in Lord Street, Grimsby, could be converted into a 12-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation if North East Lincolnshire Council planners give the go-ahead at their meeting next Wednesday, April 22. Formerly used as religious meeting rooms, the building  was due to have been sold at auction with a guide price of £36,000 in January, but it was snapped up in advance of the sale by a London-based property development company. There have been several objections from neighbours, but the NELC case officer is recommending approval.

Developer unveils plans to build 234 homes on wildlife-rich site of redundant golf course

                                    

This could be the last Spring for many of the trees on the golf course

HOUSEBUILDER Vistry Homes Ltd has unveiled its plans to develop the recently-closed golf course behind Humberston Country  Club.

The Leeds-based company has earmarked the redundant course for no fewer than 234 two-storey homes.

If the venture goes ahead, these will consist of:

* 92 three-bedroom homes

* 77 four-bedroom homes

* 65 two-bedroom homes

What will happen to the 300-plus trees and 23 hedgerows that give the course its scenic park-like character?

The company says none of them are "ancient, veteran or notable".

Inevitably, many will need to be felled, but Vistry pledges: "Where removal is required to facilitate development, this will be mitigated through appropriate replacement planting to ensure no overall loss of arboricultural or visual amenity."

The trees provide habitat for songbirds, and the course is regularly foraged by buzzards and sparrowhawks, while the two ponds are home to breeding Moorhens, Canada Geese and possibly Mallard.

Of the risk of some of these species being lost, the company's ecologist says:  "Using professional judgement, it is considered likely the site would only support an assemblage of common species, typical of urban edge habitats and of less than local importance."

Vistry Homes concludes: "The proposed scale, layout and appearance of development have been designed to reflect the character of the surrounding area, using appropriate building types, massing and materials to create a cohesive and attractive place with a strong sense of identity. 

"Separation distances and dwelling orientation have been carefully considered to ensure high levels of residential amenity for future occupants."

The project is subject to planning consent from North East Lincolnshire Council which will consider representations from neighbours and others before making a decision. 

                                           

None  of the trees is 'notable', says the prospective  developer 

                    

Home to aquatic life - one of the ponds on the golf course

                                      

The proposed layout of the 234-house scheme

Some of the types of house that the developers have in mind