Representation by Roy Clarke
- Date submitted
- 31 January 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We have farmed land adjacent to the land in this proposal for close on 70 years. During this time we have grown a variety of crops which have always given us good yields and have been profitable even without the subsidies. The land has always provided good quality food to local people, and now to supermarkets and a wider population. We believe that taking this land out of production increases pressure on other areas at a time when farmers are being called on to farm less intensively. If we cannot grow some crops in this area there is a possibility that the food will need to be imported adding to the carbon footprint. During the pandemic local farmers provided vegetable boxes for older and vulnerable people when food was short. We need land which will grow food to be kept for food production. The area has always supported a diverse range of wildlife, deer, hare, stone curlews, badgers have all thrived alongside the farmed fields, the fences are going to restrict movement along established routes. The roads in the area are rural roads totally unsuited for the hgv which will be necessary during construction. The batteries are close to villages and any accident could have major consequences in the area. We have grave concerns over decommissioning and whether this will be accounted, if approved the money needs to be set aside at the start. There will be no work for local people if this goes ahead and some jobs in the area may be lost.