Representation by Roland Higgins
- Date submitted
- 26 January 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I support the scheme because the UK needs solar farms as part of its electricity generation mix to enable it to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel. I like living/walking/cycling in this area but I agree with the claim that it does not fall within the definition of being an Area of Particular Attractive Countryside, or Area of Local Landscape Value. Two items in the national press show why there needs to be solar panels in England on fields. The first was that despite there being a shortage of electricity in England in January 2023 the wind farms in Scotland were being paid to shut down because there is not the infra-structure to get the all the potential electricity from Scotland to England. Also solar farms can generate electricity on windless days when the wind farms are not generating so removing some of the need for standby gas generation. On the other hand this development is close to an existing substation and electricity distribution network. The second, is a recent statement that there are not enough brownfield sites in England to meet all the currently unmet housing demands. This means that either housing or solar farms can be put on brownfields but not both. The area of the Mallard Pass is not likely to be part of large house building schemes so is better suited to being a solar farm.