The developer team behind a 350MW solar project in the UK has launched a consultation to seek local views on the project.
The project is situated across 880 hectares of land either side of the East Coast Main Line near Essendine, partly situated in South Kesteven and Lincolnshire, and partly in Rutland.
The project is being brought forward by Mallard Pass Solar Farm Limited, a joint venture between Windel Energy and Canadian Solar.
This non-statutory phase of community consultation runs from 4 November until 16 December 2021.
Windel Energy managing director Gary Toomey said: “We recognise the need to deliver these projects sensitively. We want to talk with local communities to understand their views and listen to their ideas.
“Feedback received during this Stage One consultation will help us to develop our proposals more thoroughly, and we want to hear from as many members of the community as possible.”
Mallard Pass will be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
To gain permission to build and operate it, a Development Consent Order (DCO) application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) after extensive consultation with stakeholders including local communities and District and County Councils.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will determine whether to grant consent for the proposal.
Stage One consultation will be followed by further environmental assessment and design work ahead of a Stage Two consultation on more detailed proposals next year, before submitting the DCO applications at the end of 2022.