Mallard Pass Solar Farm consented

Photo credit: Ben Osbourne Photography

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has consented Mallard Pass Solar Farm ensuring the UK takes a giant step forward to decarbonising the UK’s electricity supply and delivering reliable, low-cost renewable energy.

Straddling the East Coast Main Line near Essendine on the Lincolnshire/Rutland border, Mallard Pass will generate enough clean energy to power 92,000 homes annually. Put forward by Windel Energy and Recurrent Energy, it will become one of the UK’s largest solar farms and is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

In the Recommendation Report, the examining authority noted how a good design process had led to a reduction in effects on local communities. Benefits include more than eight kilometres of permissive paths, more than 21km of new tree and hedgerow planting, 150ha of new grassland and woodland planting, 72% net biodiversity gain and continued agricultural use. All of which cumulated in the Examining Authority recommending the project for approval.

Community engagement will be ongoing in the detailed landscape design and there will be opportunities for local business to participate in the construction and operational phases.

Director and LDA Design Trustee, Rob Pile said of the decision: “The Secretary of State’s decision is great news because the UK needs to pick up the pace in decarbonising energy and achieving net zero, and consents for projects at this scale signal a decisive response to climate breakdown.

“Mallard Pass has been a hugely collaborative project for us, bringing together LDA Design’s EIA, Masterplanning, Environmental Planning and Planning teams – a combination that was a first for us on a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This combination was key to establishing a framework for good design and delivering against outcomes for climate, people, place and value.”

LDA Design was part of a consortium with Pinsent Masons, Counter Context, Ardent, Humbeat and DWD.