LORE - Richard Tice

Welcome

When I was elected as the Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness just under 12 months ago, I pledged to stand up for the people of our constituency and protect what makes Lincolnshire special.

Now, with Reform UK gaining control of Lincolnshire County Council and the election of Andrea Jenkyns as Mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), we have a real opportunity to push back against the spread of industrial-scale renewable developments that threaten our county’s unique character.

That’s why I am proud to spearhead LORE, Lincolnshire Opposes Renewable Eyesores, alongside Andrea Jenkyns and Councillor Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council. Together, we are committed to ensuring that Lincolnshire’s open landscapes, agricultural heritage, and rural way of life are not sacrificed in the name of poorly planned solar farms and wind turbine schemes imposed on local communities.

For too long, our residents have been overlooked in national energy plans. LORE has been established to challenge that, highlighting both the risks these large-scale developments pose and the opportunities for a more balanced, locally-led approach that puts Lincolnshire first.

Through this joint effort, we will ensure local voices are heard, local priorities respected, and Lincolnshire’s character preserved for future generations.

The Opportunities from Protecting Lincolnshire’s Landscape and Communities from Inappropriate Renewable Developments

Protecting Prime Agricultural Land:

Safeguarding Lincolnshire’s vital food-producing farmland from being lost to sprawling solar farms and industrial energy projects.

Preventing Serious Safety Risks:

Reducing the risk of serious injury or fire incidents linked to large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) installations, often placed near homes and businesses.

Preserving Our Natural Beauty:

Protecting designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including The Lincolnshire Wolds, from being blighted by towering pylons, wind turbines, and unsightly infrastructure.

Upholding Local Democracy:

Ensuring local voices and planning decisions carry real weight, preventing developers from imposing schemes without meaningful community consultation.

Supporting Lincolnshire’s Economy:

Preserving the unique character of our rural areas, which supports tourism, agriculture, and local businesses, rather than replacing it with mass-scale energy infrastructure.

The Problem

The problem is clear: Lincolnshire is facing an unprecedented surge in large-scale solar farms, battery energy storage sites (BESS), and towering pylon installations, often approved without genuine local input.

These developments threaten to consume vast areas of our prime agricultural land, undermining food security and damaging the livelihoods of farming communities. Industrial-scale battery storage sites bring with them serious safety concerns, including risks of fire and explosion, posing a danger to nearby homes and businesses. Meanwhile, pylon lines stretch across our landscapes, including the protected Lincolnshire Wolds, spoiling views and harming the county’s rural character and tourism appeal.

This is not about opposing renewable energy in principle, it’s about saying enough is enough to inappropriate, poorly located schemes that do not serve the best interests of Lincolnshire’s people, economy, or environment.

Mapping by Mapline