The Tillbridge Solar Project development consent order (DCO) application has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
The scheme consists of a generating station with an anticipated capacity in excess of 50MW, comprising ground mounted solar arrays, with associated development comprising energy storage, grid connection infrastructure and other associated development for the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the solar farm.
The Tillbridge Solar project will be built near the village of Glentworth in northwest Lincolnshire and span approximately 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) of prime farmland.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Tillbridge Solar Limited, a joint venture between Tribus Clean Energy and Canada鈥檚 Recurrent Energy, on 10th April 2024 and accepted for examination on 8th May 2024.鈥�
Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the examining authority, recommendations were made to secretary of state Ed Miliband on 14th July 2025.鈥��
Keith McKinney, general manager, UK & Ireland at Recurrent Energy, said: 鈥淭illbridge is one of the most significant solar projects planned for the UK to date and we鈥檙e thrilled to see the ambition behind it backed by the government today with their decision to award consent. Through our plans, we鈥檒l not only deliver clean energy for hundreds of thousands of homes, but develop the project in a way that gives back to the environment around it, and supports the local communities it is rooted in.鈥�
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 鈥淔amilies across Lincolnshire and the rest of the country have seen their energy bills go through the roof as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices. Solar is one of the cheapest and quickest power sources we can build, it is crucial in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower 鈥� giving us energy security, good jobs and growth across the country.鈥�
However, Roger Mortlock, chief executive of countryside charity CPRE (formerly the Council for the Preservation of Rural England), said: 鈥淭he approval of a mega solar farm covering an area of high-quality farmland the size of Heathrow Airport highlights a deeply concerning trend: industrialising the countryside with ground-mounted solar while too many rooftops remain unused.
鈥淩ecent CPRE research has revealed that almost 60% of the biggest solar farms are being built on the UK鈥檚 best agricultural land, with some of our finest landscapes needlessly sacrificed in the process.聽
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need mega solar farms in the countryside. Previous CPRE research has shown that installing solar panels on the roofs of suitable domestic and industrial buildings, as well as on car parks, could easily deliver over 60% of the government鈥檚 target for solar energy. Delivering more renewable energy is non-negotiable, but delivering it should bring communities together, not drive them apart.鈥澛�
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