Mega solar farm plans paused amid growing pressure over developments
Developers behind the proposed Leoda Solar Farm between Lincoln and Sleaford say consultations are on hold while the project is reviewed
Plans for a mega solar farm which could power up to 143,000 homes have been paused.
The Leoda Solar Farm is proposed for 2,400 acres of land north-west of Leadenham – the equivalent of 1,360 football pitches.
It is one of a trio of huge solar farms which could be built between Lincoln and Sleaford.
Developer Telis Energy UK said the plan has now been put on hold “in light of the evolving policy and regulatory landscape” – something which could be seen as a reference to a legal challenge launched by councils last week against a nearby project.
The developer says the pause will “provide additional time to further review and refine the proposals”, and stresses the scheme hasn’t been cancelled.
Public consultation planned for early 2026 has been cancelled though, with no date for when it will resume.
Telis Energy UK says the solar farm is needed to help the UK hit its carbon-reduction goals and provide reliable green energy.
Dr Caroline Johnson, Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, welcomed news of the project’s pause on social media.
“I hope that the pressure we continue to put on this Labour government to leave Lincolnshire’s agricultural land alone, rather than industrialise it through excessively large solar farm developments, will convince the developers to drop these destructive plans altogether,” she said.
Residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year that the plans were too big and too vague, with many opposing the idea of solar panels on farmland.
The Leoda development is considered ‘nationally significant’ due to its size, meaning it would be decided by the Secretary of State for Energy rather than local councils.
Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council announced last week they were considering legal action against the government’s decision to approve the Springwell solar farm, located nearby.
The councils say “the proper process wasn’t followed”, and are hoping to launch a judicial review into the decision.