Representation by Mrs Brenda Knowles
- Date submitted
- 9 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I OBJECT TO THIS PROPOSAL Because of Covid restrictions Sunnica have held Virtual consultations this has meant that MANY people have not been able to take part, and good dialogue has not been achieved. I recognize the need to take swift action in order to slow climate change, but this scheme risks destroying the very environment that we are trying to preserve. This area is part of the region that supplies over 37% of vegetables in the UK. Approx. 1,630 acres of arable farmland has already been taken by renewable energy schemes. This extra 2,792 acres of good agricultural land would mean even more food imports, thus further increasing our carbon footprint, and making us even more reliant on other countries for food. South facing commercial rooftops and brown field sites should be used before losing valuable food producing land. The damage and removal of the many established trees and hedges will be devastating for the many species of wildlife that live in them. However many trees and bushes are replanted they will not be there for the wild life when their homes are taken away. The wildlife will be long gone before the new habitat is established. The proposed development site runs over a groundwater Source Protection Zone, used for public water supply. This will be particularly susceptible to contamination from possible leaching of the toxic elements within the panels if they are damaged by for example, stones, storms, flying debris, etc. I understand some birds drop stones on the panels. The planned battery power unit will be the current largest in the world, is that safe, knowing that they can catch fire and are known to be explosive cannot easily be extinguished and release toxic gases. From the Battery unit proposed sites and the normal wind direction, these gases would be blown by the wind over residential areas thus causing mass evacuation at what cost to life, lives and industry. When there is no wind and the atmosphere is heavy or misty the fumes would then be stifled and travel along the ground covering a greater area and causing even greater risk The many heavy vehicles that will be used to build this proposal will find it very difficult, and in places impossible, to pass each other, and other vehicles, on the miles of narrow roads that they will be travelling on. Causing much damage to the edges of the road and in places where there are banks on both sides of the road possible accidents. The danger to pedestrians on these roads is unthinkable as there are few footpaths, and where there are footpaths it is not unusual for wide vehicle to have to mount kerbs when meeting another vehicle. What is the best use of this arable land, to grow food, or to build solar panels? Solar panels can be fitted on roofs; can food be grown on a roof? The amount of new homes being built indicates the extra amount of food we will need.