Representation by County Councillor Stuart Swann
- Date submitted
- 18 April 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Many residents in the Linton Division of Derbyshire, whom I represent as their County Councillor, object strongly to this planning application for a huge solar farm on quality agricultural land between Rosliston and Walton. Issues of concern include: - Loss of good quality agricultural land and its medium to long term impact on the UK’s food production security - The blighting of a pleasant rural area by a huge industrial development, which has been described as resembling a prison camp, along with the negative impact on local wildlife and biodiversity. - The negative impact during the construction phase on local communities and the area’s road network, including narrow country lanes leading to currently peaceful villages. - The safety aspect, which many people are not convinced is fully proven. There is support for renewable energy but not at the cost of key priorities like sustainable food production on quality farmland, which is more important than ever in an increasingly unsettled and conflicted international situation. I trust these material planning considerations, along with the numerous representations of local residents, will be fully taken into consideration and the interests of people living in the area are to the fore when this planning application is decided.