The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A controversial electricity substation branded a ‘blue and white monstrosity’ by Donington Parish Council has been recommended for approval.
More than 100 people have signed a petition against the style of the building, which is part of the Viking Link project so the UK and Denmark can trade energy.
Nearly 70km of underground high voltage DC cable will also need to be laid to and from the proposed North Ing Drove substation north of Donington. A further 1.2km of the cable is to be laid in the South Holland area.
The plans include a 2.8km access road from the sub0station to the A52 and fencing which petitioners have also called to be removed.
The petition claims that the final design differs from the one voted for by the public during a consultation into the development.
In a statement opposing the development, Donington Parish Council said: “We find it incredulous that underground cables are to be brought from wind turbines in the North Sea so many miles to yet more infrastructure in Lincolnshire.
“The PC are disappointed that, despite public consultation preferring the contextual style for the building, the application is submitted with the functional style, noting that South Holland District Council also went against public consultation.
“In a farming community it would be more acceptable to have a barn style building, particularly considering the height, rather than a blue and white monstrosity.
“The parish council are sure that if a local farmer put in an application for a farming unit this size it would not be approved at this height.”
Local farmers and the National Farmers Union have also raised concerns about the impact on their livelihoods including on draining land following the laying of cables.
The development was recommended to be passed by South Holland District Council’s planning committee when it sits tonight (Wednesday, February 7) despite the development causing what planning officers call “temporary and permanent significant environmental effects.”
Their report states: “Permanent effects on landscape character and visual amenity have been mitigated as far as possible through the inclusion of landscape planting.”
