The One Earth Solar Farm will power 200,000 homes, but many local people think the cost is too high
18:42, 08 Jul 2026Updated 19:25, 08 Jul 2026
Ray Armstrong, David White and Martin Oates from an action group opposing the One Earth Solar Farm(Image: Lincolnshire Live)
Campaigners say they will fight on after plans for the UK’s second biggest solar farm were given government approval – despite a recommendation that they should be refused.
The One Earth solar farm and its battery farm will cover nearly 4,000 acres near Dunham-on-Trent, spanning across the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border.
The independent Planning Inspectorate said it should be turned down for numerous reasons, including flood risk and visual impact.
However, the government ignored this to grant approval for the scheme, saying the renewable energy for the equivalent 200,000 homes was vital.
The application by renewable energy companies Ørsted and PS Renewables will surround the villages for the next 60 years.
David White, the leader of an action group resisting it, said: “Even though the government’s given permission, it’s a victory for us.
“We were realistic that the government seems to be steamrolling these through.
“The planning inspectorate recognised it was the wrong place, which has never happened before. We’re an outlier.
“This solar farm will change the character of the area forever, and there are so many better areas to put it.
“We will fight on. We are going through the hundreds of pages with a fine-tooth comb to see if there’s any possible solution. This has given us heart, and we will cover every angle.”
Updated plans for the 1400 hectare One Earth Solar farm, across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire(Image: One Earth Solar)
The action group was particularly concerned by how close the battery farm would be to a reservoir, which provides drinking water to Lincoln.
Ray Armstrong said people living in local villages were “mortified” by the decision.
He said: “They’ve effectively decided to put a massive industrial area on here, which will look atrocious and endangering people’s drinking water.”
Martin Oates said: “The character of the area is going to change dramatically.
“The fields in front of my home will be blanketed with huge three-metre high panels as far as the eye can see.”
“We must think now whether we have a case to appeal. It could be complicated and costly, but we have to consider.”
The planning process heard objections from local residents and councils, with West Lindsey councillors describing it as a “get rich quick scheme.”
The final decision was made on behalf of the government by Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Lord Whitehead.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The only way to have energy security is if we take a pro-growth approach to building more clean energy in Britain. For two years that is exactly what this Government has done.”
One potential legal action is a judicial review to argue that the decision was made incorrectly, as Lincolnshire County Council is currently seeking for a different application.