Representation by Sally Hempson
- Date submitted
- 29 January 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am not opposed to renewable solar energy, and I am not an expert in this field, however I do have 3 main concerns about the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm. 1. The size of this proposed development of over 2500 acres at over 12 times the current largest facility built. It will also be very close to houses within the surrounding villages. 2. It will take away prime arable land and at a time when the country is facing food shortages, following our exit from the European Union and the COVID pandemic , this does not seem a sensible thing to be doing. If we need to import our food from overseas then this adds to our carbon footprint. It would be far more sensible to build solar farms on Brownfield sites. Solar panels could also be put onto factory buildings, large warehouses, supermarkets and all new homes being built should have solar panels installed on their roofs. 3. The size of the battery stores, to store the electricity are going to be the size of shipping containers, Sunnica did not answer the questions put to them about the safety of these stores and the danger of them to the villagers should they catch alight. Once ablaze they emit toxic fumes and the threat is real as there have been several fires in battery stores in recent years. These are too close to the houses in the village and also 2 primary schools would be affected should this happen.