The DCO application features a 27% reduction in the area that will be covered by solar panels. Image: EDF Renewables UK.

The national planning inspectorate has accepted EDF Renewables UK’s application for a development consent order (DCO) for an 800MW solar plant.

The proposed Springwell Solar Farm, which will also feature battery storage, would be located on land between Lincoln and Sleaford, covering 1,280 hectares across three distinct areas.

Because of its size, with an 800MW solar generation capacity and a grid connection facilitating export and import of up to 800MW to the network, the development is classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).

EDF Renewables updated the plans after a second stage of public consultation ran last year and changes to the plans include increased distance from nearby homes and updated plans for new planting and footpaths.

The DCO application features a 27% reduction in the area that will be covered by solar panels. It is now in the pre-examination stage, meaning anyone can register to participate in the examination by submitting a written summary of their views between 15 January and 17 February this year.

According to EDF Renewables UK’s director of storage, solar and private wire Matthew Boulton, “Community input has been crucial in helping us to refine our plans for Springwell Solar Farm”.

The application submission comes after two rounds of consultation, and research which found Lincolnshire residents to be in favour of solar plants like Springwell. EDF found that 77% of people who responded to a survey by Survation, conducted on behalf of EDF Renewables, see climate change affecting their communities and 82% of people also said they support the development of solar farms.

Given the typical timeline for a DCO application, now that pre-examination (which usually lasts for about three months) has begun, the project is likely to enter the examination phase by the end of April. If everything moves at the fastest possible speed, a decision could be reached by the end of this year.

Lincolnshire is pegged for several major solar developments including the 350MW Mallard Pass Solar Farm that was granted a DCO in summer last year.

Fosse Green Energy Limited, a partnership between Northeast England-headquartered developer Windel Energy and Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy, launched the second public consultation for a solar-and-storage development to be based 9km south west of Lincoln; the size of the project is yet to be confirmed but the developers have given notice that they will make an application for a DCO. The application is expected to be submitted in September 2025.