Representation by Jan Chilcott
- Date submitted
- 16 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly object to the Sunnica proposal as although I appreciate we need more renewable energy, the sheer scale of this project is devastating to the villages it will surround. Development of four separate sites with cabling to the substation in Burwell is blatantly inefficient and poorly thought out. Industrialisation of greenfield sites across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk has a huge impact on both the landscape and wildlife. It will also mean loss of productive farmland, which we need now more than ever. Far more appropriate would be use of existing buildings, all new builds and wasteland. The safety of the huge battery systems is extremely concerning due to the risk of fire and release of toxic fumes. As I understand Sunnica have no experience of constructing and maintaining such a large installation, the risks are surely greater. Due to the size of the project, there will be prolonged disruption to local communities during the construction phase of an estimated two years. Movement of HGVs and workers will produce unacceptable levels of traffic on narrow country roads, wholly unsuitable for such use. Furthermore disruption from road closures and diversions will push more vehicles through villages themselves.