All new buildings in North Lincolnshire to have solar panels

Every new home or industrial unit built in North Lincolnshire will have to include solar panels, council leader Rob Waltham has announced.

This will see hundreds of new buildings generating green, clean, electricity every year.

The new rule is included in the council’s draft local plan, agreed at North Lincolnshire’s Cabinet meeting yesterday (Monday 17 March).

Cllr Rob Waltham said: “We are seeing solar farms popping up all over the place, taking up valuable farm land and being a blot on the landscape. It makes far more sense to include the panels on houses, factories, and other buildings. The council has already worked with local schools and other facilities to fit panels – generating clean energy and reducing bills.

“When the new local plan comes into force, every development will have to include solar panels as standard or planning permission will not be given. This should reduce the demand for farmland and put the panels where they should be.”