Representation by Wendy Mackenzie
- Date submitted
- 14 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have recently moved to this lovely village in Suffolk and would like to make the following observations about the vast swathes of land which would be needed to house this huge solar farm: Arable land - we are surrounded by beautiful, fertile farmland which allows this country to grow its own produce. Recent events in Russia and Ukraine have demonstrated that now, more than ever, we need to have sustainable crops that we can grow and produce without dependence on other countries. Wildlife - the Sunnica development would have a huge impact on the local wildlife, with birds being driven from their annual nesting sites along with trauma for other local wildlife including the badgers, foxes and deer. Landscape - the landscape which generations of people have enjoyed for hundreds of years would be changed forever. Storage batteries - from my understanding these batteries carry a large fire risk with them. Temporary closure of Public Rights of Way - this would have a very negative impact on me as I enjoy long, country walks and if they are closed for months on end I feel it would have a detrimental on my health and well-being. I do not want to get in a car to drive somewhere to go for a walk as that defeats the object. Extra work traffic - having lived in Essex where the roads are constantly grid-locked I can really appreciate the lovely country roads we enjoy in this area. Months of extra traffic and lorries would have a very negative impact on the area. Whilst I appreciate the need for new and green energy initiatives, I do not feel that destroying large swathes of beautiful, ancient countryside to achieve that is the best way forward.