Representation by Jo Jones
- Date submitted
- 15 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am concerned that the plans will not have a carbon neutral result and indeed will hinder our reaching this by 2050. In the context of our commitment to reduce climate change this is vitally important. The panels are going on prime agricultural land. This will be lost from production. It is also going on land of high conservation value, in particular for stone curlews and arable flora. The mitigation offered for loss of land is not adequate. The arable strips for rare arable flora, such as sand catchfly, are tiny and the management of them is not likely to produce good results. Similarly plans to import chalk to create a chalk meadow, in the Brecks which is known for its extraordinary geology is ill thought out and not supportive of native flora. The seed mixes planned to be used are unlikely to be appropriate for the Brecks. Commitment is not given to management of the conservation areas for the full period the panels will be present. Overall the panels will cover too large a percentage of the landscape, destroying the landscape for people living locally. No information is given of how the land will be restored. For example, how will the 100 acres of concrete laid down be removed in an environmentally friendly way.