Representation by Martin Silcock
- Date submitted
- 20 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My opposition to Oaklands Solar Development: 1. Preservation of Agricultural Land: - Ground-mounted solar facilities on prime agricultural land threaten food security and undermine the viability of farming communities. - Rooftop solar installations should be prioritized over land-intensive solar developments to preserve Grade 3A & 3B lands for agricultural use. - Zoning regulations must be strengthened to protect farmland from non-agricultural development, ensuring sustainable land use practices. 2. Glint, Glare, and Visual Impact: - Vast solar arrays will cause glint and glare issues, disrupting the tranquility of rural landscapes and affecting nearby residents' quality of life. - The industrial appearance of solar arrays, containers, and fencing will irreversibly detract from the natural beauty and rural character of the area. - Approval of this development sets a precedent for further urbanization and the degradation of rural aesthetics, eroding the unique charm of our communities. - This is already happening in relation to other planning applications nearby in Drakelow for electric storage containers 3. Scale and Dominance: - The proposed solar factory size and scale are disproportionate to the surrounding landscape, overshadowing the natural beauty of the area. - Such a massive development would dominate swathes or rural land, altering the visual character and diminishing the scenic value of our rural environment. - Approval of this project ignores the concerns and preferences of local residents who cherish the rural landscape and wish to maintain its charm and appeal. 4. Noise and Industrialization: - The constant hum from inverters and other equipment will disrupt the peace and quiet of rural living, causing undue stress and annoyance for nearby residents. - The industrialization of agricultural land for solar development provides no tangible benefits to local communities and undermines the rural way of life. - Noise pollution from solar farm operations poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of residents, warranting rejection of the proposed development. - 5. Infrastructure Concerns: - The construction phase of the solar farm will impose unacceptable strain on rural road networks, exacerbating existing traffic congestion and safety hazards. - Small, winding rural roads are ill-equipped to handle the influx of heavy construction vehicles and increased traffic associated with the development. - Neglecting the inadequate infrastructure and road maintenance issues demonstrates a lack of consideration for the well-being and safety of local residents. This is both evident by local council inaction and political experience. 6. Environmental Impact: - Ripping up agricultural land drains for solar array installation will disrupt natural water flow patterns, leading to increased flooding and irreversible damage to the ecosystem. - Destruction of agricultural land for solar development compromises local biodiversity and wildlife habitats, undermining efforts to preserve our natural heritage. - - The irreversible environmental damage caused by the proposed solar farm outweighs any potential benefits, making it an unacceptable trade-off for the community and future generations.