Cottam Solar Project Ltd plans to develop a solar farm and associated battery storage with a generation capacity of up to 600MW, sufficient to power 180,000 homes.
This project is cross border with the main element of the solar farm being within West Lindsey District Council and the cabling element and connection to the national electricity grid being via a substation at the former Cottam Power Station, in Bassetlaw.
Scoping report
The scoping report for the Cottam Solar Project was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate on 9 March 2022.
Non-Statutory Consultation
Cottam Solar Project Ltd held a non-statutory consultation from 3 November 2021 to 15 December 2021. It gave more information about the proposed development for community input.
Statutory Consultation
The Council responded to the Cottam Solar Project Ltd’s Draft Statement of Community Consultation providing feedback about ways to enhance engagement with local communities.
The statutory consultation was held between 15 June 2022 - 27 August 2022. It set out the proposal and included the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR).
Examination
- The Council’s Adequacy of Consultation Representation, submitted on 27 January 2023, states that Cottam Solar Project Ltd complied with the consultation duties outlined in the Planning Act 2008.
- On 9 February 2023, the Secretary of State (c/o the Planning Inspectorate) accepted the application for the Cottam Solar Project for a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008.
- The examination took place between 5 September 2023 and 5 March 2024.
- The Council submitted the Local Impact Report to the Planning Inspectorate for DCO Examination on 17 October 2023.
- Council's Local Impact Report
The Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Cottam Solar Project Ltd signed a Statement of Common Ground on 22 December 2023. It identified the areas of agreement and also any areas of disagreement. It also highlights the range of meetings the Council held with the applicant and other stakeholders throughout the application process.
Decision
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero consented the application on 5 September 2024. The Examining Authorities’ reports and the Secretary of State’s decisions are available to view on the National Infrastructure Projects webpage.
Last Updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2026