September 2025 Minutes
Stoke Rochford & Easton Parish Council
Minutes of Stoke Rochford & Easton Parish Council Meeting Date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Venue: Easton Walled Gardens 6-00 p.m.
Councillors present Cllr Fred Cholmeley (Chair)
Cllr Neil McCorquodale (Vice Chair) Cllr George McCorquodale
Cllr Sam Nadin
Cllr David Scarborough District Cllr David Bellamy
Clerk & RFO Mrs Emma Wilson Open session - No parishioners were present.
1. Chairman’s Welcome Remarks
Cllr Fred Cholmeley welcomed all and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
2. Apologies
Apologies from Cllr Martin Thompson, Cllr Chris Gait, District Cllr Ben Green and County Cllr
Charlotte Vernon
3. Disclosure of interest in agenda items
Cllrs N & G McCorquodale for agenda item 8, 9a & 9b.
Note, Item 8 to be moved to end of all agenda items, Cllrs N & G McCorquodale will depart the
meeting beforehand to allow open and free speech on this item.
4. To approve Minutes of meeting held on the 27th May 2025
The draft minutes having been circulated prior to the meeting were agreed and proposed to be a true
and accurate record. They were passed as approved by resolution of the Council and signed by the
Chairman.
5. Report District Councillors David Bellamy (Summary)
Western Marsh Grid Extension - The Western Marsh grid extension was discussed at a recent planning
committee. The officer’s report included information not available on the public website, and it
suggests the Corby Glen substation could be used to connect surrounding solar farms.
The report stated there are 44 available grid connections for renewable projects, potentially split
between Corby Glen and Waltham-on-the-Wolds. There are concerns this capacity could lead to
multiple large-scale solar farm proposals, like Mallard Pass, especially on flat land such as
Ponton Heath. Substations of similar capacity (e.g. near Navenby) have enabled thousands of acres
of solar development elsewhere, while we understand the national need for the grid extension (to
carry wind power from Scotland), we would oppose future developments linked to it.
The grid extension involves an offshore cable down the North Sea coast to Anderby Creek, then
onshore through Western Marsh (near Spalding), Corby Glen, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, and into the East
Midlands. Concerns were raised about why the route crosses land rather than taking a more direct
path. Strong representations have been made that cables should be put underground, particularly
through sensitive areas such as ancient woodland between Bourne and the Witham Valley. It is noted
that undergrounding has been done in other areas, such as the Cotswolds.
Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation - South Kesteven District Council’s preferred
devolution option is a unitary authority with South Kesteven, South Holland, and Rutland, rather
than a larger Greater Lincolnshire model. Rutland is supportive of this option, and the local MP,
Alicia Kearns also favours it. The future remains uncertain, including whether there will be
another district council election, a one-year extension, or a move straight to unitary authorities.
Stoke Rochford Hall Planning Application - The application for a lawful development certificate at
Stoke Rochford Hall has been refused. There were local concerns about the nature of the proposed
use and potential security implications. The applicants can appeal, but it is currently unclear
whether they will. Alicia Kearns, MP did not become directly involved, as it was a planning matter.
Re Item 8 on your agenda Canner's Lane Energy Park - Battery storage developments were mentioned at
planning committee meeting, and it was noted these do not require Environmental Impact Assessments.
At this point Cllr Bellamy left the meeting to attend another parish meeting in his ward.
6. Report County Councillor C Vernon
County Councillor Vernon sent apologies and asked if any support required for the parish council to
contact her.
Page 1 of 3 Chair’s Initial
7. Clerks Report
a. Bank Reconciliation
As at 28/07/25 £11,451.19
August Outgoing £ 1315.00 (10,136.19)
August Income £ 1280.00 (11,416.19) Sept Outgoing £ 1338.00
£10,078.19
Reimbursement due from LPSPC of £1260.00 (when considered balance will be £11,338.19. Bank
reconciliation approved by resolution of the Council and signed by the Chairman
b. AGAR
Confirmation signed off and published on website
c. Bus shelters – follow up on next steps
From last meeting, the bus shelter at Red Cottages on Skillington Road, it was agreed for health
and safety of the public it should be demolished and cleared. Stoke Rochford estate agreed to deal
with its removal but as yet this has not been completed. Hopefully this will be done before the
next meeting.
Ref Easton bus shelter on corner of High Dyke and Planting Road, clerk has asked insurers to add
this to our insurance policy and we await confirmation of this from them.
Change of Item order as per notes above
9. Planning (circulated via email and responses made to SKDC as appropriate) – listed for
information only. No objections to those listed below.
a. Application No: S25/1213 Applicant: Mr S Allam Proposal: Erection of garage.
Location: Woodyard Cottage , Cringle Road, Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire, NG33 5EG
b. Application No: S25/1280
Applicant: Louise Parker
Proposal: Section 211 notice to reduce the height of the hedge (G1) running along the rear garden
boundary.
Location: 5 School Close, Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire,
c. Application No: S25/1302
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Turner
Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension. Replacement roof covering. Conversion of
existing courtyard and store building to an enclosed swim/spa area.
Location: Rochford House , Village Street, Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire, NG33 5EB
d. Application No: S25/1303 (new application of 10c as listed building)
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Turner
Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension. Replacement roof covering. Conversion of
existing courtyard and store building to an enclosed swim/spa area. Location: Rochford House ,
Village
10. Correspondence – Item b & c circulated at time of receipt.
a. Grantham Southern Relief Road August update
b. Parish & Town Council LGR Presentation Slides Circulated 110725
c. Re_ B6403 High Dike_ Easton - Notice of Proposed Carriageway Resurfacing (Postponed!)
11. Accounts approved and paid – August 2025 (For information only – Paid)
12.
a. Sal/AL June to Aug 2025
b. PC Expenses. June to Aug 2025
Accounts for payment – September 2025
Total
Balance c/f
£1112.65
£ 202.35
£1315.00
£11,416.19
000503
000504
a. Locum for LPS PC Jul to Sept 25
b. Addelsee Smith (internal auditor)
Total Balance
£1260.00
£78.00
£1338.00
£10,078.19
000505
000506
13. AOB - Next meeting
Monday 12th Jan 2026 (amended to 20/01/26 post meeting)
6-25 pm Cllrs N and G McCorquodale left the meeting
Page 2 of 3 Chair’s Initial
8. Canner's Lane Energy Park – Response NatPower (previously circulated 28/05/25)
S25/0637 | EIA Screening Opinion for a proposed battery energy storage system facility to be known
as Canners Lane Energy Park located at Land east of High Dike. | Land East High Dike B6403 NG33 4EB
Screening opinion S25/0637 – the parish council were not consulted (SKDC admin error). After PC
queried this we were able to submit response after the fact as deadline had closed but we obviously
felt our comments should be on record.
District Ward Councillors had been asked for comment by SKDC – No comment recorded as they felt it
would be better for them to comment on planning when it is submitted.
Decision has been made that an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) was not required.
The remaining parish council members discussed concerns about the proposed Canner’s Lane Energy
Park, particularly surprise and frustration that such a large lithium battery and solar
infrastructure project (around 100 acres) does not appear to require a full environmental impact
assessment. Members express disbelief about potential environmental harm being overlooked,
including extensive concrete use.
There is dissatisfaction with the consultation process: some stakeholders were not properly
notified in time to comment, comments were accepted only after decisions were effectively made, and
some consultees who were expected to respond did not. Corrections to land size were made only after
the fact, which added to concerns about transparency.
The planning application has not yet been submitted, and the group expects consultation to finish
first. Members emphasize the need to separate personal opinions from their roles as parish
councillors, focusing instead on what parish residents think. While some individuals may be
personally opposed to the project—particularly due to loss of farmland and cumulative solar
development—they stress that decisions should reflect constituents’ views, not personal beliefs.
There is broad agreement that parishioners should be informed and given a clear opportunity to
comment to make them aware and avoid them feeling excluded. Suggestions include potentially
producing a neutral briefing note once the planning application is submitted, explaining the
proposal and inviting comments (for, against, or neutral), this can be done anonymously to the
parish council if they wish. The group notes that while many residents may be passive or not fully
understand the project, informing them is important for fairness and transparency.
Overall, the consensus is that nothing more can be done until the planning application is
submitted, but preparation should be made to ensure residents are properly informed and able to
voice their opinions.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 6-45 p.m.
Signed: _ Date:
Chairman, Stoke Rochford & Easton Parish Council
Page 3 of 3 Chair’s Initial