Representation by Dr Paul Silverston
- Date submitted
- 4 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
May I start this submission by saying that I am in favour of alternative energy sources, including solar power. My objection to the Sunnica project is based on the following points: 1. The size of the development, as this will have a significant impact on local communities, agricultural land and the landscape. I would not object to a smaller development. 2. I believe that there are better options available for siting solar panels, such as MOD land and on the roof space of large industrial units in retail parks, which would have no impact on local communities, agricultural land and the landscape. 3. At a time when we are going to need to increase food production, particularly wheat production, due to the war in Ukraine, we should not be taking 2,500 acres of agricultural land out of production. 4. There is an existing solar farm between the villages of Burwell and Exning, on the Exning Estate. This Estate is on the market and it would make far more financial and logistical sense for the new solar farm to be sited around the existing solar farm, as it would have less impact on local communities and be closer for connection to the national grid, which would avoid compulsory purchase orders on land between the proposed Sunnica development and the hub at Burwell. However, I feel strongly that the time has come for the government to adopt a more joined-up approach to the development of solar power in the UK, in terms of siting these developments in a way that does not take agricultural land out of production and makes use of existing infrastructure.