Representation by Fenella Maxwell
- Date submitted
- 17 March 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a resident of Chippenham and object to the Sunnica scheme for the following reasons: • The construction phase of this scheme will take a long time and be a nightmare to live through. The estimated levels of traffic – at least 200 HGVs per day and several thousand construction worker vehicles – will have a major impact on noise, road safety, the condition of the roads and how it affects other road users. There is no way that our village roads, and those connecting them can sustain this level of traffic. • Over 30 hectares of battery storage systems on three sites close to villages, and in Red Lodge close to two primary schools. During the one and only public meeting they attended, Sunnica representatives were unable to guarantee the safety of those in the schools in the event of a fire. This is hundreds of primary-aged children. All of us who live in proximity to the Sunnica sites are put at risk by the danger of battery fires (which cannot be extinguished) and the resultant toxic gases they produce. • The scheme is being built on nearly 3000 acres of farmland. Currently, food is grown on this land, with a mixture of crops. Why would you build an industrial solar installation on productive land, reducing our food security and increasing our carbon footprint with regard to importing food. • The scheme will decimate the biodiversity of the affected areas. • The landscape will be blighted by the sight of solar panels as far you can see, industrial structures up to 12 metres high in very visible locations and 30 miles of security fencing. The proposed planting to mitigate the views will be woefully inadequate, and will not replace the current pleasant, historic landscape that has been largely unchanged for hundreds of years. • My favourite dog walk in Snailwell, which is currently bordered by attractive countryside, will be fenced in with security fencing. I will have to drive further afield to find walks which are good for my dogs and me. • Many solar panels and their components are manufactured in China by slave labour. • There is no plan for removing the panels and batteries when the scheme ends.