Weston Marsh resident urges South Holland communities to respond to solar and pylon plans

A Weston Marsh resident has urged people across South Holland to take part in consultations on a proposed solar farm south of Spalding and a wider programme of electricity infrastructure, warning that the plans could bring major changes to farmland, wildlife, roads, drainage and the local landscape.

Jenny Pennington made the appeal in a letter after returning from a two-day Meridian Solar Farm Planning Inspectorate meeting in Peterborough. The project described in her letter is planned south of Spalding, spans the Fens and would occupy 2,700 acres of agricultural land.

The proposed solar farm would connect into Weston Marsh through what Pennington describes as large overhead cabling and pylons. She presents the scheme as part of a much broader series of energy projects planned in and around the area, rather than as an isolated development.

Substations and new electricity routes

At Weston Marsh, the letter refers to two National Grid substations with a combined stated area of more than 46 acres. Pennington says the substations would be approximately 1,300 metres apart and connected by underground cables. She also cautions that the eventual area occupied by the completed projects could be larger than the stated total.

Other infrastructure identified in the letter includes an additional row of pylons linked to the planned Grimsby to Walpole route. A separate pylon route is described as running from Weston Marsh B to East Leicestershire, crossing the River Welland and continuing through Surfleet towards Leicestershire.

The plans mentioned also include underground cabling associated with EGL3 and EGL4. Another proposed underground connection would link the Outer Dowsing converter station at Surfleet with a connection point at Substation A.

Pennington says residents raising objections are concerned about the effect on their communities and surroundings, rather than opposing net zero in principle. She writes that campaign groups and local residents have spent four years trying to highlight what is planned, while warning that some people remain unaware of the possible scale of the developments.

Concerns over farmland and the rural landscape

The loss of agricultural land is identified in the letter as the main concern. Pennington says much of the affected land is Grade 1 agricultural land used for double-cropping vegetables. That means two crops can be grown in one year, which she links to the importance of protecting food production and national food security.

She also argues that the infrastructure could change the appearance of South Holland’s flat landscape. In her view, the scale of the solar farm, pylons, substations and associated works risks making an area known for its rural character look like a large industrial zone.

The letter lists several further concerns: construction dust, the loss of natural habitat, possible effects on animals and wildlife, potential health impacts for residents, the possible devaluation of homes, and the consequences for flooding and drainage.

Wildlife is a particular issue raised by Pennington. She refers to finding three dead swans earlier in the year after they had flown into overhead cables, and uses the incident to illustrate her concern about the risks that additional overhead electricity infrastructure could create for birds.

Expected disruption during construction

Pennington warns that construction could continue for several years and bring substantial numbers of workers’ vehicles to different sites every day. She says local country lanes are not suitable for that level of traffic and highlights routes around Weston as needing particular attention.

The locations specifically mentioned include the A151 at the Weston turning into Stonegate, as well as the road towards Spalding and its roundabout near McDonald’s. The concerns raised are about the pressure that construction traffic could place on roads and nearby communities while the projects are being built.

The letter also says other schemes could appear in future, including more solar projects and battery energy storage systems. Pennington describes these as possible additional developments that residents should watch for rather than as confirmed projects included in the Meridian proposal.

Residents encouraged to use consultations

Residents are being encouraged to share information, attend relevant meetings and consultation events, and submit comments on proposals. Pennington says observations and suggestions made by Weston Marsh residents to National Grid have, where possible, been taken into consideration.

She also calls on people to check on friends and neighbours who are worried about the plans, and names the campaign groups NO PYLONS LINCS, LAND — Lincolnshire Against Needless Destruction — and Meridian Action Group as sources of information about the projects and how to respond to the relevant organisations.

The letter lists a National Grid consultation event about the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire pylon route at Weston Village Hall from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, September 30. It also lists a second event at Surfleet Village Hall on Thursday, October 15, from 10am to 4.30pm.

Pennington further encourages residents to email or write to MP Sir John Hayes and speak to local councillors. Her message is that attending meetings and making comments can give residents an opportunity to understand the proposals and put forward views before decisions are made.