North Lincolnshire Looks to Go Green with New Green Energy Park

To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in just 28 years’ time, every area of the UK will need to play its part in reducing emissions. Nowhere might this be more challenging than in the County of Humberside, where industry releases more CO₂ than anywhere else in England. To combat this, North Lincolnshire Council, has published its intention to build a new green energy park in the Borough. Expected to open in 2026, the North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park will produce low carbon energy, while simultaneously employing carbon capture technology and reducing waste going to landfill.

With the support of North Lincolnshire Council, the Green Energy Park will be developed by Solar 21, an Irish renewable energy company, with experience in developing solar farms, biomass, biogas, and energy from waste (EFW). The Energy Park will be constructed at the Southern edge of Flixborough Industrial Estate, 60-acre industrial estate 2 miles North West of Scunthorpe. The area already has an established energy production reputation with a biomass plant already on the Estate and a solar farm to the South East. Beyond the Southern edge of Flixborough Industrial Estate, the Park will run along the side of the River Trent for some 0.8 miles, finishing just beyond the outskirts of Scunthorpe. The Green Energy Park will consist of 15 different buildings, performing different functions from hydrogen production to carbon capture, recycling facilities and energy recovery facilities.

This ambitious project does not come without its challenges, as the required land is not wholly owned by Solar 21 or by North Lincolnshire Council. Over summer, land acquisitions began through private treaty negotiations, where Roger Hannah advised a landowner on their entitlement to compensation. However, with fragmented ownership and some negotiations reaching an impasse, the decision was taken to utilise statutory powers. Accordingly, a Development Consent Order (DCO) has been applied for under the Planning Act 2008 as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). DCOs are similar to CPOs in that they are considered by the Planning Inspectorate and, if successful, grant the applicant the right to acquire land and buildings without the landowner’s consent, subject to suitable compensation. The application has been made and a decision is expected in early 2023, with construction expected in late 2023.

Should the DCO be granted, North Lincolnshire Council and Solar21 will have the right to acquire the required land, subject to suitable compensation. Having been involved already, Roger Hannah will watch this space with interest.

Roger Hannah is a leading North West based firm of Chartered Surveyors located in the heart of Manchester City Centre. We provide comprehensive property expertise from our 50 strong team providing advice on all property matters across the North West and nationwide.

Please contact the CPO team for advice.