Notice is hereby given that Springwell Energyfarm Ltd (13484004) of Alexander House, 1 Mandarin Road, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton le Spring, DH4 5RA (“the Applicant”) proposes to make an application (“the Application”) to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for a Development Consent Order (‘DCO’).

The Applicant intends to make the Application in Q3 2024. The Application is for the proposed Springwell Solar Farm (“the Proposed Development”) at land north of Sleaford, close to the settlements of Blankney, Scopwick, Kirkby Green and Ashby de la Launde (“the Proposed Site”) within the administrative boundaries of North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. The Springwell Solar Farm would cover an area of approximately 1,972 hectares (ha), split across three distinct areas, which are described below:

• Springwell West: Springwell West forms the southernmost part of the Proposed Site and is intersected by the A15 – with Brauncewell to the south and Navenby to the northwest.

• Springwell Central: Springwell Central is located in the centre of the Proposed Site, adjacent to RAF Digby and B1191 to the west, Ashby de la Launde to the south and relatively open agricultural fields to the east.

• Springwell East: Springwell East is bounded by the settlements of Scopwick to the south, Kirkby Green to the south east, Blankney in the north, B1188 to the west and a railway line to the east.

The DCO would, amongst other things, authorise:

• construction, operation and decommissioning of ground mounted solar PV arrays, Balance of Solar System, Collector Compounds and Battery Energy Storage System, along with distribution cables.

• other associated and ancillary works including a new substation, known as Springwell Substation, which would be connected to the PV arrays and battery storage via distribution cables. Underground cabling would connect the Springwell Substation to the point of connection into the National Electricity Transmission System via a 400kV grid connection cable route.

• other infrastructure works including on-site cabling, ancillary buildings such as offices and welfare areas, access tracks, and any other works identified as necessary to enable the Proposed Development. There would also be parts of the Proposed Site used for landscaping which would include features such as biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures, amenity improvements and fencing.

• the compulsory acquisition of land and/or rights and the taking of temporary possession of land.

• the overriding of easements and other rights over or affecting land.

• the application and/or disapplication of legislation relating to the Proposed Development.

• such ancillary, incidental and consequential provisions, licences, property rights, permits and consents as are necessary and/or convenient.

The Proposed Development is an Environmental Impact Assessment (‘EIA’) development for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and accordingly a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (‘PEIR’) has been produced and is included as part of the consultation materials. The PEIR sets out the preliminary environmental information on the Proposed Development.

The Applicant is carrying out an EIA and will submit an Environmental Statement as part of its DCO application. The Applicant has produced a Statement of Community Consultation (‘SoCC’) in accordance with section 47 of the Planning Act 2008 which explains how the Applicant will consult with the local community and stakeholders about the Proposed Development. The SoCC can be viewed free of charge at www.springwellsolarfarm.co.uk/downloads, or at the deposit locations set out below from Monday 11 December 2023. The consultation will be carried out in accordance with the SoCC.

Consultation on the proposals will take place from 11 January 2024 to 22 February 2024. The Applicant will publish consultation materials including a consultation booklet showing the nature and location of the Proposed Development, a consultation questionnaire and the PEIR. These will be available online free of charge from 11 January 2024 to 22 February 2024 at www.springwellsolarfarm.co.uk/downloads in the Document Library tab. Copies of the consultation materials will be available for inspection free of charge during the consultation period at locations listed below, as well as on USB or in hard copy on request to the Applicant from 11 January 2024.

There are a number of ways to find out more about the Proposed Development including:

• Attending a public event which we will hold in locations around the Proposed Site at the following times and locations:

o Wednesday 24 January - Scopwick Village Hall (4pm - 8pm)

o Thursday 25 January – Ashby de la Launde Village Hall (3pm - 7pm)

o Friday 26 January – The Venue, Navenby (Midday - 4pm)

o Saturday 27 January – Metheringham Village Hall (11am - 3pm)

o Tuesday 20 February – Blankney Old School (3pm - 7pm) • Viewing the virtual exhibition on the project website: www.springwellsolarfarm.co.uk. The virtual exhibition will be accessible from 11 January 2024 to 22 February 2024.

• Reading the consultation booklet which will be available online or in hard copy on request, at deposit points around the area (listed below) and at the public events.

• Reviewing the PEIR by going to www.springwellsolarfarm.co.uk/downloads or visiting a deposit point. • Getting in touch using the contact details below.

Copies of the consultation materials may be requested during the consultation period from the Applicant using the e-mail address, Freepost address or Freephone number provided below.

The Applicant will provide USBs containing all the consultation materials – including the PEIR – free of change. Printed copies of the consultation booklet, SoCC and questionnaire will be available free of charge. Requests for printed copies of the PEIR will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A fee to cover printing costs (up to a maximum of £750 for one full set of consultation documents) may be charged to the recipient. To request materials in an alternate format, please get in touch using the contact details below.

Any person may comment on the proposals or otherwise respond to this publicity. Responses must be received between 11 January 2024 to 22 February 2024 through any of the following ways:

• Completing the consultation questionnaire online at www.springwellsolarfarm.co.uk.

• Returning a questionnaire by Freepost (no stamp required) or submitting your comments to the following address: Springwell Solar Farm, FREEPOST SEC Newgate UK LOCAL.

• Returning a questionnaire or submitting your comments by email: info@springwellsolarfarm.co.uk.

When providing your response, please include your name and address or, if you would prefer your comments to be anonymous, your postcode only. Please also confirm the nature of your interest in the Proposed Development.

Responses must be received no later than 11:59pm on Thursday 22 February 2024.

The Applicant will consider and have regard to all responses received by the above deadline when developing the Application for a DCO once consultation has closed. Responses will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Secretary of State when deciding whether the Application can be accepted for Examination. Therefore, in providing any comment, it should be borne in mind that the substance of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report.

If you would like further information about this notice, the consultation or the Proposed Development, please contact the project team by using one of the contact methods provided below:

• By Freephone: 0800 038 3486

• By email: info@springwellsolarfarm.co.uk

• By Freepost: Springwell Solar Farm, FREEPOST SEC Newgate UK LOCAL