Caudwell Farm , Holbeach St Matthews, PE12 8EW

Planning appeal 3372791 at Caudwell Farm , Holbeach St Matthews, PE12 8EW (South Holland District Council) was allowed on 3 February 2026 by Inspector Major P, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal justifies the use of best and most versatile agricultural land.

the erection of a 49.9MW Ground Mounted Solar Array with Associated Underground Cable Route, Substation, Battery Storage and Ancillary Equipment & Structures at Caudwell Farm, Holbeach St Matthew PH12 8ES

Authority: South Holland District Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: utilities-energy · Other Major Developments
Inspector: Major P
Postcode: PE12 8EW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the proposal justifies the use of best and most versatile agricultural land
The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape
Whether the battery storage system proposed would be likely to be safe

What decided it

The substantial weight attributable to the provision of renewable energy and grid connection outweighed the moderate harm from loss of BMV agricultural land and the limited landscape/visual harm.

The substantial benefit of renewable energy provision, together with biodiversity enhancement and job creation benefits, outweighed the moderate harm from loss of BMV agricultural land and the limited harm to landscape character and appearance.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 31Policy 31, B1Policy 31, B2Policy 31, B4

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in South Holland

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

Allowed29 June 20266007437
Land off Northgate, Pinchbeck, PE11 3SB
Allowed27 April 20266001659
Land at Fendyke Farm, Off Old Fendyke, Sutton St James, PE12 0LX
Allowed13 March 20266003284
Land East of Forest Way, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, PE12 7FE
Dismissed12 March 20266001983
Merkur Slots, 32-33 Hall Place, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1SG
Dismissed12 March 20263372173
Little London, Long Sutton, PE12 9LE

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.