Full Breakdown
Sand Lane Solar Farm Approved While Scawby Brook Proposal Rejected in North Lincolnshire
8/22/2026, 3:03:10 AM
Core Event
Planning officials in North Lincolnshire granted permission for the 20.2 MW Sand Lane Solar Farm on a 32.5-hectare site east of Kirton Road and west of Manton Village. At the same meeting, councillors turned down the 49.9 MW Scawby Brook Solar Farm proposal, which would have covered 85 ha and included a 30 MWh battery storage system.
Background & Context
The Sand Lane site occupies part of the former Black Walk Practice Bombing Range, used by the RAF from 1943 to 1945. Because practice bombs are often buried shallowly, the application required a magnetometer survey to detect any unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Scawby Brook was slated for Grade 3b agricultural land that has been cultivated for 29 years, raising concerns about converting productive farmland into renewable infrastructure.
Key Figures & Groups
- PS Renewables Ltd – developer of Sand Lane.
- Manton Parish Council – initially objected over traffic concerns.
- Councillor Carol Ross – moved the refusal of Scawby Brook.
- Councillor Rob Waltham – called Scawby Brook before the committee.
- Councillor Janet Lee – argued against Scawby Brook on farmland grounds.
- Zetica UXO – assessed the UXO risk for Sand Lane.
Timeline
- 1943-1945 – Black Walk Practice Bombing Range active.
- Planning application submitted – included UXO assessment and magnetometer condition.
- Objection by Manton Parish Council – raised traffic-impact concerns.
- Developer commitment – pledged no construction vehicles will use routes through Manton; objection withdrawn.
- Planning committee meeting (recent) – approved Sand Lane; refused Scawby Brook.
Data & Statistics
- Sand Lane: 20.2 MW, 32.5 ha, six-month build, up to 50 workers.
- Scawby Brook: 49.9 MW plus 30 MWh battery, 85 ha.
- Bomb drop rate (WWII): 16-32 bombs per month.
Official Statements & Responses
Permission for Sand Lane is conditional on a magnetometer survey, as recommended by Zetica UXO. The developer has committed to routing all construction traffic away from Manton Village, satisfying the parish council’s objection.
Councillors cited the high agricultural quality of the Scawby Brook site and the lack of screening measures as reasons for refusal, describing the proposal as “industrialising” open countryside.
Criticism & Opposition
Manton Parish Council’s traffic concerns were mitigated after the developer’s pledge, leading to withdrawal of the objection.
Councillors Waltham and Lee, with community members, argued that Scawby Brook would compromise 85 ha of good-quality farmland that has supported local agriculture for nearly three decades.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents welcomed the traffic-routing pledge for Sand Lane and noted the land’s wartime history. Agricultural stakeholders emphasized preserving the Grade 3b farmland earmarked for Scawby Brook.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The UXO assessment for Sand Lane reported a “moderate hazard level” due to practice bombs but found no evidence of wartime ordnance. The final risk profile will be clarified after the magnetometer survey.
What’s Next
A non-intrusive magnetometer survey will be carried out on the Sand Lane site before construction begins. If the survey confirms safety, the six-month build phase is expected to start shortly, employing up to 50 workers. No further planning actions are scheduled for the Scawby Brook proposal at this time.
