Representation by David Watson
- Date submitted
- 5 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
While, in general, I am in favour of projects which seek to provide green alternatives for generating energy, including the use of solar panels, I have three major concerns with this particular proposal. 1. The sheer size of the project. On a map, starting from Worlington/Barton Mills, I drew a line SW, roughly following the A11 to just beyond the point where the A11 joins the A14. From this point the pencil line turned NW to go just beyond the development near Snailwell and from here turning NE to go just beyond the development at Isleham/ West Row and finally SE back to Worlington/Barton Mills. This boundary line (approximately rectangular in shape) encloses an area which includes all the above villages as well as the additional villages of Chippenham and Freckenham and, of course, the sites of the proposed development. I estimate that the development in total occupies about 35% of the enclosed area. In my opinion, this proportion is far too large and represents a burden much too great to be borne by the affected villages. 2. Battery Energy Storage (BESS). I am also concerned with the total area (77 acres) devoted to the BESS compounds. In particular, these units have been known to catch fire and produce poisonous gases. Again, the sheer number of these units proposed (apparently making this the largest in the world) increases the probability that at least one will catch fire and threaten the nearby villages. 3. Agricultural Land. This is a particular area which is valuable for its agriculture and for its wildlife - both of which will be adversely affected by losing such a disproportionate amount to this huge development. It will impact not only food production for the region (which in itself is valuable for the reduction of our carbon footprint), but will also result in the loss of much wildlife habitat. Conclusion Fields of solar panels are not attractive. They impinge on the potential of the countryside to make people feel good. If such sites were to be spread around rather than compressed into a relatively small area, public opinion would be considerably less negative.