Representation by Andrew Ebdon
- Date submitted
- 1 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My over-riding concern about this project is the amount of 'Best and Most Versatile' agricultural land that will be given up to solar panels. While, nationally, we do need to have energy security, we must also have food security. There needs to be a clearly stated and rigorously enforced strategic approach to land use such that companies do not waste time and money putting together proposals like this that lead to conflict between these 2 vital security interests. I do not believe we can afford to be give up the best food producing land in this way, especially as there are plenty of alternatives for solar panels. Why not legislate for them to be fitted to all new residential and commercial buildings for example? I also have concerns that the shear scale of this project will have a disproportionate impact on the countryside, not only during construction, when clearly the disruption will be very significant, but also for the life of the project. Being able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the countryside is an increasingly important aspect of people's mental well-being. Giving up such a large piece of land to unnatural and unsightly structures would be a daily source of anxiety for the vast majority of people living in and travelling through the area. Certainly walking along footpaths between solar panels has no appeal. There is also concern about the impact on the natural habitat, flora and fauna.