Reform UK-led Lincolnshire County Council launches judicial review of Springwell
County Hall is challenging the Government’s decision to approve the 3,100-acre Springwell solar scheme in the High Court.
Reform UK-led Lincolnshire County Council has launched a judicial review of the Government’s decision to approve Springwell — around 3,100 acres of solar panels and battery storage on North Kesteven farmland. The county council has lodged the claim in the High Court alongside North Kesteven District Council.
What has been approved
On 8 April 2026 Labour’s Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, granted a Development Consent Order for the scheme, overruling the objections of local councils and residents. Developers EDF power solutions and Luminous Energy plan to export up to 800 MW to the grid, with battery storage on site.
Standing up for our farmland
Reform UK took control of County Hall a year ago promising to stand up for Lincolnshire’s countryside. Taking Springwell to the High Court is that promise in action. Our farmland feeds the nation — it should be growing food, not hosting industrial-scale solar.
Labour’s decision, Tory net zero laws
Make no mistake: this is Labour’s decision, taken by a Labour minister in London. But it rests on the net zero laws the Conservatives put in place when they were in government, when they legally bound the country to net zero by 2050 in 2019. The Tories wrote net zero into law, and Labour is now using it to cover Lincolnshire’s farmland in solar panels.
What happens next
The High Court will first decide whether the case can go ahead. We’ll keep residents updated as it progresses. In the meantime, you can follow every solar scheme across North Kesteven on our Solar Watch page.
