Representation by Evelien Clifford
- Date submitted
- 14 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Firstly there is the size of the largest proposed solar farm in the U.K. to be located on good agricultural land. And very, dangerously so (particularly if anything was to happen!), close to residential properties. Then there is the size of this development which is absolutely enormous! Why should this flat land have to bear the consequences of this grossly oversized project without a single benefit to those directly affected? It will be three times the size of the next largest proposed solar farm in the UK. There are definitely more and better suited spaces. Like alongside the A14 for example, or very simply put them on new builds whenever new estates go up. Which is a very popular choice in the rest of Europe, I wonder why?! Because it makes perfect sense to do so! There is the issue of taking valuable good agricultural land (Sunnica would have you believe otherwise). This will destroy wildlife corridors, nesting and feeding habitats. Along with natural trees, hedges and wind breaks to name but a few. This is not on brownfield sites. Good agricultural land is very valuable, recent world events only support this statement. As well as having been previously advised solar farms should only be build on previously developed and non-agricultural land that it is not of high environmental value. Batteries storage 120 yards away from a school. These Industrial Power plants should not be situated anywhere near schools or residential developments. This would potentially be a very dangerous situation. And so far Sunnica even when asked a direct question about this, in one of their most recent meetings, does not or cannot even answer this question about the safety of this or shall I say the huge risks involved with this. The disruption this project will cause during its construction over the next 2 years on the road network, tracks, underground utilities, railways, rivers and drains would have a horrendous impact on the local residents and wildlife habitat. Multiple roads being dug up between all the effected villages, traffic congestion is bad now. The carbon footprint of this alone is huge and we will have to import the crops previously grown on this land. I have been informed that the operational lifetime of the Sunnica Energy Farm is approx. 30+ years, these panels will be outdated and inefficient leaving a metal graveyard in its wake. In addition, Sunnica plan to sell the development once constructed, leaving a big question and concern regarding how the farm will be maintained. Furthermore, who will be responsible for recycling the panels at the end of their lifespan and managing the hazardous waste generated from the lithium batteries. All of the above and additional information I am aware of strengthens my view that this is not an acceptable proposol. Quite the opposite, the whole project is a major disaster for villages affected and surrounding. There is not a single advantage for the people who will have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Also a not insignificant details is that people in Isleham have been advised by local Estate Agents that property prices will fall if this project goes ahead. This is a big one, and who will compensate us?