Emily Norton

A consultation has begun on plans for a major solar farm between Lincoln and Sleaford that would have the capacity to power 180,000 homes every year.

The proposed farm with battery storage, named Springwell, has been proposed across areas of agricultural land near Blankney, Scopwick and Ashby de le Launde.

The land is predominantly owned by Blankney Estates farming company, which says the solar farm will ‘play an important role in safeguarding the future operations while supporting the ethos of long term sustainability.’

Springwell is backed by EDF Renewables UK and Luminous Energy.

A consultation was launched on Tuesday, January 24, Information can be found on the scheme’s website here.

As well as delivering clean energy, parts of the Springwell site would also be used for recreational, landscape and ecological enhancements. The early design includes suggestions for new habitats, planting and improvements to the existing footpath network.

The consultation will run for six weeks, closing on Tuesday 7 March. Feedback from local communities will help shape early plans for Springwell and identify potential benefits that it could support in the local area.

EDF Renewables UK’s Head of Solar, Ben Fawcett said: “We are currently at a very early stage with our plans for Springwell, with the feedback we receive during this consultation helping to inform our plans while they are still being developed.

“We encourage everyone to get in touch, meet with us and share their views during the consultation.”

The exhibitions will take place at the following dates and locations:
·   Tuesday 31 January – Blankney Old School House (2pm –7pm)
·   Wednesday 01 February – Scopwick Village Hall (2pm – 7pm)
·   Friday 03 February – Ashby de la Launde Village Hall (11am – 4pm)
·   Saturday 04 February – Metheringham Village Hall (11am – 4pm)

Copies of the consultation materials can also be picked up at the following locations:
·   Blankney Golf Club, Lincoln Road, Blankney LN4 3AZ
·   Scopwick Village Hall, Brookside, LN4 3PA
·   Metheringham Community Library, High Street, LN4 3DZ
All responses must be received by the consultation deadline of 11:59pm on Tuesday 07 March 2023.

A Newark man who brazenly enjoyed a pre-murder pasty and pint with friends after stabbing a mother to death in her home has been jailed.

John Jessop, 26, had cycled 17 miles to his victim’s home to carry out the cold-blooded attack, less than a week after their brief relationship came to an end.

He showed no remorse for the brutal and relentless killing before pleading guilty to murder at Nottingham Crown Court. He was sentenced on January 4 to 20 years in jail, of which he will have to serve at least 17 years and eight months.

Police found mum-of-three Clair Ablewhite, 47, dead in her pyjamas at her home on Hall Lane in Colston Bassett on Saturday, February 26.

Mum to three boys, Clair was loved by many and had set up a dog walking and boarding business from the rural cottage after the breakdown of her marriage

A murder enquiry was launched immediately as she had sustained serious stab wounds to her neck and chest.

Her killer had left no trace of DNA at the scene apart from shoe prints marked in blood.

Clair’s mobile phone was missing. There was no murder weapon. The crime was committed in a remote location, with fears that CCTV footage and witnesses would be sparse.

The investigation’s smoking gun came after a media appeal. A committed neighbour returned from France to provide home CCTV which cracked the case wide open.

The neighbour’s CCTV proved vital to solving the case

Not only were there images of the killer, but audio of the fatal attack.

From the grainy footage, police could build a picture of the murderer’s height and his clothing, including Adidas trainers watching the bloody footprints left behind in Clair’s kitchen.

Investigators formed the opinion the killer had arrived on a bike and spent countless hours trawling CCTV to track the bicycle’s movements.

They also recovered Clair’s phone from a nearby stream.

Despite water damage, they found Clair had been using a dating website and discovered WhatsApp messages from a man who had not come forward to assist with the investigation – John Jessop from Newark.

It appeared their five month relationship had ended over age difference concerns.

Footage from a local shop captured Jessop making a stop to buy a pasty, wearing clothes which matched the neighbour’s CCTV footage, on his bike ride to the scene of the murder.

A quick snack before the cold blooded attack

DI Crutchley of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This was a solid investigation with many officers working all hours to catch Clair’s killer. The CCTV work was integral and managed to catch Jessop’s route from Newark to Colston Bassett.

“The neighbour played a major part in helping with our investigation by providing that first CCTV image of the killer and I would like to thank him personally for travelling home from France to help us bring Clair’s killer to justice.

“It is also a timely reminder for people to think about who they interact with online and to ensure their safety is protected from violent and predatory people like Jessop.

“Throughout this investigation, Jessop has shown no remorse for what he did to Clair. He has consistently provided ‘no comment’ in interview and offered up no apology.

“The attack he inflicted on Clair was brutal and relentless, causing catastrophic injuries which finally led to her death.

“At the same time that Clair’s dad discovers his daughter’s body and tries to provide CPR – Jessop is enjoying his first pint in a pub in Newark with mates.

“He has taken away a loving, caring, and outgoing mum, daughter, sister, and friend to many.

“Today’s sentence will never bring back Clair, but it does mean that Jessop will spend a considerable part of his life behind prison bars, and I hope this gives her family some comfort.”

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