Representation by Margaret Leech
- Date submitted
- 20 April 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have a number of concerns about this proposal: - The loss of BMV (best and most valuable) farmland; surely the rooftops of commercial and domestic properties are a more sensible location for panels rather than land which supports UK food production - Generation of significant HGV traffic along poorly suited rural roads during the construction phase (estimated at 16 months in duration). This will cause risks to other road users, (pedestrians, cyclists, local schools) and will likely permanently damage the highway infrastructure. Abnormal loads are expected to be routed through through Coton-in- the-Elms. Not only is this unacceptable but, I believe, unfeasible - the lanes and streets simply cannot accommodate vehicles of those dimensions - An increased risk of flooding of local roads in an area which has already experienced significant issues in the recent past - Loss of the rural landscape, replacing it with an industrial site on a massive scale - Destruction of the hedgerows and stream through the site, removing useful habitats for wildlife - An ongoing risk of fire from the battery storage. Given the rural location any fire would be problematic for the emergency services to reach and bring under control - A high risk of environmental pollution both through day to day activities and in the event of any incident such as a fire - The continual operating noise from the generation equipment disturbing residents, leisure users (walkers, cyclists, riders) and wildlife - A risk of glare from the reflection off the panels for road users with unacceptable mitigations planned to address this I am unconvinced that once the site reaches the end of its useful life it will be returned to agricultural use. I believe the damage caused to it will be irreversible meaning that it will become brownfield forever.