Windfarm energy plan sparks compulsory purchase of Lincolnshire farmland 

Developers of a huge offshore wind farm are preparing to take control of miles of farmland across Northern Lincolnshire to make way for 40km of electric cabling.

SMart Wind, which is developing the 1,200 MW wind farm 64 miles off Hornsea on the coast, has issued a notice of compulsory acquisition after being given the Government go-ahead for the project earlier this month.

An order made by the Government authorises the freehold acquisition of a plot of land, much of which is farmland, near to Centrica’s North Killingholme Power Station, as well as the temporary acquisition of land further south.

This includes:

Farmland to the south and west of Waithe Lane, Brigsley and farmland to the east and north of Brigsley

Farmland north of Waltham Road, east of Barnoldby-le-Beck, farmland to the south of the A46 east of Laceby, and part of the A46 north of Grimsby Road

Farmland to the east of Little Beck, Laceby and south of Aylesby Road

Farmland south of Wells Road and south east of the A1173 Riby Road near Stallingborough

Farmland north of Riby Road, near Stallingborough Grange, farmland to the south and north of Keelby Road, farmland near Roxton Farm

Part embankment and railway between Habrough and Stallingborough

Farmland north of the A180 south of the B1210 Immingham Road between Station Road and Mill Lane

Farmland west of Habrough Road near to the A160

Farmland to the south of Church Lane, east of North Killingholme, and to the north of Church Lane West and Eastfield Road

Part of the foreshore and bed of the River Humber at Marshchapel, east of North Cotes

Farmland to the west of North Cotes, south of Tetney Lock, roadway near to Stonebridge Farm, farmland south of Louth Canal, farmland west of North Coates Road, Tetney Lock

Part of Tetney Lock Road north of Tetney Drain

Farmland to the west and south of Holton Road, near Holton-le-Clay.

Those aggrieved by the order can challenge it under the Planning Act 2008 by filing a claim form for judicial review within six weeks of December 10.

Among those against the proposals are members of the North Coates Flying Club, based at North Coates Airfield.

The plans included up to four underground electrical circuit transition joint bays with works compounds planned to be built close to the runway at the airfield.

Members believe the construction would make taking off safely impossible for pilots.

However the Government’s decision stated that there can be no part of the development within half-a-mile of the perimeter of the airfield until a plan to secure its safe operation during the construction and operation has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State, following consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority.

The project, developed by SMartWind – a consortium of Mainstream Renewable Power, Siemens Financial Services and Dong Energy, was one of eight renewable energy projects awarded an early Contract for Difference in April 2014.

Speaking after the December 10 verdict, Andy Kinsella, Mainstream Renewable Power’s chief operating officer, said “Hornsea Project One is part of the essential new infrastructure that has driven major investment in the Humber economy and ensures a low carbon future for the area.”

Consent was given on the condition that the project has an employment and skills plan including the advertising of jobs in our region.

The plans can be viewed at Immingham’s Civic Centre from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm.