About the project
Leoda Solar Farm
Leoda Solar Farm is a proposed new solar project on land situated northwest of Leadenham in Lincolnshire.
The project would have a targeted generating capacity of between 500 and 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity, supporting the UK government’s net zero targets and strengthening our energy security by providing reliable and affordable energy at a time when we need it most.
Battery Energy Storage System
Leoda Solar Farm would also feature a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will store surplus energy for use during peak demand, increasing the resilience of the national power grid.
Non-statutory Consultation
Our non-statutory consultation closed on Thursday 6 March 2025. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to those who have participated in this phase of engagement. Your feedback is important in helping to shape the project at this early stage.
Who are we?
The project is being developed by Leoda Solar Farm Ltd, which was founded by Telis Energy UK , a green energy company that is transforming the UK energy landscape with innovative hybrid energy hubs, to help solve grid challenges. Telis Energy UK is part of the Telis Energy Group, a European green energy development platform with a target development pipeline of 10 gigawatts (GW) across Europe by 2030 delivered by local teams through four subsidiaries across France, UK, Germany and Italy.
Leoda Solar Farm Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telis Energy UK, and will be the applicant in the Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Leoda Solar Farm.
Why we need the project
The way we consume energy is already changing. The move towards renewables and the transition away from fossil fuels is an environmental and economic necessity.
To hit the government’s net zero and climate change targets, boosting our solar energy generation is essential, as set out in the latest Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
The Action Plan highlights the importance of achieving 45-47GW of solar power by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on imported energy.
National Farmers Union President Tom Bradshaw has highlighted the need for a balanced perspective in regard to solar’s impact on food security, stating, “It’s a small amount of land which is being taken out of production”.
This is an ambitious national challenge that will require a fivefold increase in solar deployment and capacity. To achieve these targets, the UK will need to deploy solar across rooftops, brownfield and greenfield sites.
Despite this significant growth, solar panels currently occupy just 0.1% of the UK’s land, and government plans indicate that no more than 0.3% would be needed to provide around 12% of the UK’s energy needs.
Meeting these targets for affordable, homegrown renewable electricity will depend on projects like Leoda Solar Farm being delivered across the country.
Our vision
We want to develop a landscape-led solar farm that integrates with the local environment, contributing to net zero carbon emissions while supporting community well-being and economy. Our design will prioritise enhancing local biodiversity, preserving the area’s natural character and fostering co-existence between renewable energy infrastructure and the surrounding landscape.
Project benefits
Generation of clean, renewable energy
Leoda Solar Farm would have a maximum power output of 500 to 600MW of electricity, supporting the UK government's net zero targets.
Stability of supply
Renewable energy produced in the UK means less reliance on imported energy, which can impact on consumers’ bills and reduce our energy security.
Battery storage for a rainy day
The proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will store surplus energy for use during peak demand, increasing the resilience of the national power grid.
Efficient energy generation
Even when the sun isn’t shining. Solar PV panels use radiation from the sun, meaning they do not need direct sunlight to operate and can produce power all year round.
Supporting wider sustainability and community benefits
The project will support North Kesteven District Council’s climate goals and we are committed to funding projects and initiatives in the area through a community benefit fund.
Supporting the long-term sustainability of agricultural land
Using fields for solar helps bring poor agricultural land back in use. Repurposing the land for a period allows the soil to recover from intensive farming, improving farming prospects in the long term.
Ground-mounted solar projects provide major environmental benefits
In addition to providing renewable low-carbon energy, which is good for the planet, they also improve biodiversity locally by creating new habitats for wildlife and letting plant life grow around the panels over time, compared to harvesting crops yearly.
Our indicative site map
The shaded area on this map represents the land currently in consideration for the proposed development.
This indicative development area would span approximately 2,400 acres of agricultural land to the northwest of Leadenham. The project site includes both solar photovoltaics (PV) facilities and battery storage infrastructure, as well as spaces for landscaping, buffers and areas designed to enhance biodiversity.
During the site selection process, we carefully considered how the project would fit into the existing landscape. The proposals for Leoda Solar Farm are being designed using a landscape-led approach, which would take advantage of natural screening due to contours in the land and existing hedgerows and woodland.
As solar panels are low-profile compared to other forms of infrastructure they can be easily screened. Screening would be improved with reinforcement or new planting using native species of hedgerows and trees; this is all considered during the planning process.
The project includes commitments to increasing habitats from the current baseline, which will contribute towards biodiversity net gain. We are exploring a variety of methods to achieve this, including, but not limited to, the creation of new wildlife habitats, grasslands and wildflower meadows.
Additionally, we are aware of the existence of other renewable energy schemes locally. Where possible, we will co-ordinate and work with these projects to minimise cumulative impacts and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Please note that these plans are still in an early stage of development and are subject to change following feedback from national statutory bodies, local authorities and the local community during our upcoming consultation.
The planning process
Solar projects with a generating capacity of over 50 MW, such as Leoda Solar Farm, are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008.
As an NSIP, the project requires approval through a Development Consent Order (DCO), the application for which is submitted to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Secretary of State will appoint an independent Examining Authority to examine the application and provide a recommendation, with the final decision made by the Secretary of State.
The DCO process is independently managed by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) and ensures that the views of community members, local authorities and other stakeholders are thoroughly considered. Everyone with an interest in the project will have multiple opportunities to provide formal feedback during the consultation and examination phases.
Our consultation process will follow this approach:
Phase One – Non-statutory consultation: 23 January to 6 March 2025
Phase Two – Statutory consultation: Q1 2026
Consultation is a critical part of the development process and will help shape our proposals. We greatly value the local knowledge and feedback we receive, and we’ll aim to incorporate it into our plans where possible.
During the statutory consultation phase, we will also publish a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) to detail how local communities can engage with and contribute to the process.
Consultation
Our non-statutory consultation
Our non-statutory closed on Thursday 6 March 2025. Register for updates here to be the first to find out about our upcoming phases of engagement.
Next steps
We will consider all comments received during our non-statutory consultation, as well as from our ongoing engagement with communities and stakeholders. All feedback is important to us and will help to influence the design of the project.
The feedback received during this early consultation will be reviewed and analysed to understand key themes and issues of importance from stakeholders. Having taken onboard this initial information and stakeholder feedback, we will be able to prepare a more advanced design for the project, with greater detail, including information about how potential impacts have been assessed and how we plan to manage or mitigate them.
We will then conduct a round of formal statutory consultation to provide you with a formal opportunity to comment on our updated proposals prior to the submission of our planning application.
A Consultation Report will then be produced as part of our DCO application, which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. This document will set out how the feedback from the consultation has shaped and influenced the final proposals. All responses submitted during this initial round of consultation and our upcoming statutory consultation will be answered within the Consultation Report.
Our engagement timeline
We have set out an indicative engagement timeline for the project:
Request paper copies
If you would like to request paper copies of the documents or need them in another format, please contact us by:
Email at
Freephone on
0800 1577352 (at no charge)
Mail at
Freepost LEODA SOLAR FARM
(no stamp required)
Documents & FAQs
Documents
-
- Leoda Solar Farm Programme Document August 2025.
- Leoda Solar Farm Summer Newsletter 2025.
- Leoda Solar Farm Non-Statutory Consultation Newsletter.
- Leoda Solar Farm Non-Statutory Consultation Brochure.
- Leoda Solar Farm Non-Statutory Consultation Feedback Form.
- Leoda Solar Farm EIA Scoping Report January 2025.
- Leoda Solar Farm Masterplan.
- Leoda Solar Farm Development Consent Order Plan.
- Leoda Solar Farm Aerial Plan.
- Leoda Solar Farm Constraints Plan.
- Leoda Solar Farm Non-Statutory Consultation Banners.
Where is the site?
Leoda Solar Farm is expected to be developed on land situated northwest of Leadenham in Lincolnshire. The site is approximately 17km south of Lincoln and 40km northeast of Nottingham.
Leoda Solar Farm will also feature a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will store surplus energy for use during peak demand, increasing the resilience of the national grid.
Why not use brownfield sites instead?
Other types of brownfield land, such as those in urban areas, are in high demand and the economic viability does not stack up for solar development on brownfield land – they have much greater value for commercial and housing developments. As housing is more profitable it’s unlikely that much of the county’s available brownfield space would be made available for solar.
Brownfield sites may be located in areas with low levels of sunlight, have bad terrain or face high maintenance and upkeep costs. In many cases, this makes these sites less appealing for solar projects due to the high costs or risks involved in preparing and maintaining the site. They are also often not close enough to points of connection in the National Grid and would therefore require excessively lengthy cables.
Are solar farms and/or BESS facilities noisy?
Solar PV panels themselves do not make any noise. The only items that generate noise are the inverters, transformers and onsite substation, which will be located away from any neighbouring houses.
The BESS facility may also generate some noise, and we will include a full noise assessment within our DCO planning application to determine exactly how much this will likely be. Should any potential impacts be identified then a comprehensive suite of mitigation measures will be included within the proposals to ensure any noise generated will not have any adverse effects on the surrounding area.
What infrastructure would be built as part of the planning application?
Leoda Solar Farm would include solar PV panels, battery energy storage units, inverter and transformer units which process the generated electricity into the right format for export, an onsite substation to gather the electricity into the voltage needed, and associated cabling, internal tracks, access points, and landscape and habitat enhancement.
Do solar panels create glint and glare?
Due to the high-tech anti-reflective coatings and ultra-transparent glass designed primarily to improve panel efficiency, there is barely any panel glint. In fact, solar panels are less reflective than many common building features – such as windows.
Further, airports around the UK either already operate or are installing solar systems, which they would not do if glare were a concern for safety or other reasons. These include:
- Southend Airport, which has a 120kW installation on its terminal building and a 5MW solar array under its flightpath.
- Edinburgh Airport, which is developing an 11-acre solar farm next to its runway.
- Stansted Airport, which is planning to install a 14MW solar farm directly to the east of the airport.
Are solar farms and/or BESS facilities safe?
Solar is one of the safest energy generation technologies in the world. Solar PV technology dates back to the 1950s and its use is widespread throughout the world – not only in large-scale solar farms but in domestic situations too, in the form of rooftop solar panels.
Solar cells are made from silicon, almost the same as sand, and contain no heavy metals or toxic substances. They are then covered with a thin layer of protective tempered glass. Solar panels have no moving parts and create no emissions.
We also understand that there may be some concern about the safety of battery energy storage. Our Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will adhere to established health and safety standards, and we will employ extra safeguarding measures to ensure the safety of the development during construction and operation. As part of our DCO application, we will develop and submit a battery safety management plan which will outline the safety systems (particularly fire safety and emergency management) that we propose to use.
How will the local community benefit?
As the proposals take shape over the coming months, we will be consulting with local communities and gathering feedback on how Leoda Solar Farm can have a positive impact in the area and therefore benefit the local community.
Working with local communities to unlock a project’s full potential is at the heart of what we do. Our work with local people will shape the Leoda Solar Farm project and ensure the benefits of this solar energy development are realised in a way that has a positive impact.
How are the panels secure in the ground?
There are a wide variety of options for securing solar panels to the ground, including a number of pile types (helical (a type of galvanised steel pile), driven (galvanised steel or pre-cast concrete), or cast-in-place concrete) and ballasted foundations which can be formed of several types of material such as precast concrete, cast-in-situ concrete or gabion stone. Galvanised steel piles are by far the most commonly used. We don’t yet know which type (or combination of types) we will use because we are still at the pre-application (planning, design and survey) stage of the project’s development. To commit to a type of foundation now would be to tie us to an option that ongoing survey and design work may reveal to be inappropriate/sub-optimal. Piling type is determined by factors such as ground hardness, soil depth, noise constraints, access for machinery, below-ground archaeological features and more. We will consider all the issues and make the best choices. Meanwhile, our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA, that will be part of our planning application) considers a worst-case scenario, so we ensure our impacts will always be less than those assessed. This is standard practice.
If the answer includes concrete, which apparently releases contaminants into the soil over a long period of time, will the land be affected in any way after solar is finished and gone?
As noted above, galvanised steel piles are by far the most commonly used, and will be the preferred choice where site conditions allow. In some circumstances, the use of concrete feet pads may be necessary. From work-to-date, we expect this to be for a very limited proportion of the panels across the site. Note that feet pads are a small part of the site as a whole, in terms of their contact with the land: rows of panels are widely spaced (typically 2.5-4m) to prevent them shading each other, and supporting struts along a row of panels are approx. 2m apart. Therefore, we expect the impacts of any concrete pads to be very limited and isolated – and therefore easily mitigated. This will be assessed in the EIA. Furthermore, a ‘pre-construction record of condition’ (including soil tests) is included within the leases between the landowner and the tenant (Leoda Solar Farm) and form part of the decommissioning commitment to ensure that the land is returned to the landowner in no worse a condition. Finally, if properly designed and managed, solar farms can actually enhance soil health by promoting beneficial vegetation growth and reducing soil erosion – and by giving intensively-farmed land a rest.
Will the BESS on our land contain Lithium-ion or flow batteries?
Leoda is expected to use Li-ion (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. As above, we do not yet know the exact specifications or suppliers due to the early stage of development. Battery technology and safety is advancing all the time so to make a commitment now would be to tie ourselves to old technology. We will work with the best suppliers at the time of procurement. Our BESS will perform to help meet the need for power when irradiance levels are low, and will adhere to or exceed established health and safety standards. As part of our DCO application, we will develop and submit a battery safety management plan which will outline the safety systems (particularly fire safety and emergency management) that we propose to use. This will be written by experts with the involvement of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Meet the Telis Energy UK team
Behind Leoda Solar Farm is a dedicated team working to get every detail of the project right. From planning and land use to environmental assessments and community engagement, a wide range of experts are helping to shape the project.
We’re pleased to introduce key members of the team, who will respond directly to some of the common questions we’ve heard so far. Meet William Duncan, CEO, Alex Herbert, Head of Planning, Michele Hu, DCO Manager, Hugh Gilmour, Head of Land, Martyn Duggan, Lands Manager and Soledad Mora, Chief of Staff.
Hugh:
“I come from a farming background and grew up seeing the pressures faced by rural communities. Working in renewables brings the opportunity to support landowners by helping diversify their income and make sustainable long-term use of the land. Solar offers a way to balance long-term food production with clean energy generation, supporting the future of the countryside I grew up in.”
Alex:
“I changed career to become a planner so I could make a positive contribution to society. I am troubled by the climate and energy crises that are evident around us every day. I want my children to grow up on a healthy planet, while enjoying the same comforts we enjoy today. Specialising in renewable energy consenting seemed the best way for my work to have the most meaning and impact.”
William:
“Our vision is to deliver clean, homegrown energy for the UK – while respecting Lincolnshire’s natural beauty and heritage. A project like Leoda can produce enough renewable energy to power over 143,000 homes a year. At a time when energy prices are increasing, and with the climate crisis, solar is one of the cleanest, most cost-effective tools we have.”
Alex:
“Agreed. It’s also about doing it the right way. The UK needs a fivefold increase in solar capacity by 2030 so careful site planning and landscape-led design is critical. Early conversations with locals mean we can understand their local priorities before designs are finalised. We want to reflect local values and respect the character of the area.”
Hugh:
“That’s a fair concern and one we take seriously. However, even if all of the UK’s solar targets are met, they’d only use around 0.3% of the total land area in Britain – less than golf courses currently do, and less than the agricultural land left fallow each year!
Solar farms can help restore and protect agricultural land. By allowing the soil to rest from intensive farming, we give it a chance to recover its productivity in the long term. The land can still be used for agricultural activities, such as sheep grazing, while generating clean, renewable energy.
Martyn:
“Solar farms offer consistent, sustainable income for farmers while enhancing biodiversity – thanks to the wild grasses and habitats that grow up around the panels. We’re looking at ways to enhance the land while it’s in use for solar – for example, by planting native species and creating wildlife habitats.”
Alex
“It’s a common misconception that solar panels only work on sunny days. They generate electricity from irradiation (light) – not just direct sunshine – so they still produce power on cloudy days and throughout winter. Yes, the output is lower, but the contribution is still significant. And the BESS means we can store energy generated during the day for use in the evenings or on grey days.”
Michele
“We’ve taken time to understand the landscape by visiting requested viewpoints in and around the site as well as walking public rights of way and visiting properties. These visits have helped us assess how the solar farm will sit within the landscape.
Martyn
“Since we held our non-statutory consultation we have liaised with local stakeholders and used the feedback to shape our mitigation plans. We aim not only to protect the existing watercourses, hedgerows, copses and spinneys but to enhance them. We are also committed to retaining public rights of way.”
William
“Community feedback is at the heart of this project. It’s been guiding our design from day one and will continue to do so throughout the planning process and beyond. But we want to be transparent about what we can and can’t change. Some things are fixed – like government-set climate and energy targets – but there’s still lots we can adapt and that’s where your input makes a real difference.”
Michele
“Following our consultation earlier this year, we’ve reviewed every piece of feedback received. Based on that input, we’ve made important changes – like reducing the substation and battery storage footprint, addressing the pedestrian connection challenges and enhancing our landscape planting plans. We’ll be holding a formal statutory consultation early next year, and we look forward to speaking with many of you again then.”
Contact us
You can get in touch with the team using any of the following methods:
Email at
Freephone on
0800 1577352 (at no charge)
Mail at
Freepost LEODA SOLAR FARM
(no stamp required)