Representation by Emma Rixon
- Date submitted
- 16 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object strongly to the Sunnica development on the following grounds. Loss of beautiful countryside and devastating impact on the natural environment with the destruction of the natural habitat of precious wildlife. This in a country which is already rapidly losing its open green spaces. Loss of valuable farmland and the impact of this on our economy and our way of life, making us less self-sufficient Covering farmland with batteries and solar panels is in no way a green approach to energy. According to the 'Say No to Sunnica’ (SNS) campaign, the land would in future become a brownfield site making it a likely candidate for development. Therefore, the loss of countryside and farmland is likely to be permanent. To suffer such loss and destruction would be bad enough if it was necessary to build on the land that has been identified as the site for this development. However, I do not believe that this is the case - there must be surely be more suitable (brownfield) sites than beautiful green countryside, if indeed solar energy farms like this are the best and most efficient way to meet our future energy needs, which many would argue they are not. Massive carbon footprint of the project - the SNS campaign has highlighted that materials will be imported from China (with concerns that the panels may be manufactured by slave labour) and raised concerns about poor design. Obviously, considerable air and noise pollution will be caused by the building of the farm. SNS warns of the danger of the batteries which will be used which if they overheat 'can go into thermal runaway; essentially a battery fire which emits highly toxic gases with the risk of explosion'. An article in the Daily Telegraph (14th February 2022) observed that 'The solar panel element of this development is, however, like its name, a red herring. After all, this part of the UK gets only 1,600 hours of sunlight per annum. This scheme is actually about buying electricity off the grid during the day, storing it, and then selling it back during peak hours at a higher price.' With such serious concerns about environmental impact, loss of valuable farmland, efficiency, effectiveness and safety, the highly likely disadvantages appear to far outweigh any potential benefits of this development for the local and national population.