Representation by Russell Wilcock
- Date submitted
- 16 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The government policy is clear that ground mounted solar should use previously developed land, contaminated land, industrial land and agricultural land of grade 3b, 4 and 5, not Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land. The selected solar panel area MPSF is proposing to use is 53% BMV land. The latest Government Food Strategy Policy paper June 2022 clearly wants to maintain agricultural production, not reduce it, particularly in the light of recent activities with Russia/Ukraine war and subsequent global impacts on food shortages and prices. The proposed site is rural land and covering it with glass, metal, and access roads / paths is is a huge detrimental change to the whole ecosystem; Where will this force the existing large herds of wild deer and other large animal species to migrate to ? ; A large part of this land is currently used for leisure walking etc purposes and it is an unspoilt vista which will both be destroyed by such a massive physical and visual change impact ; Importing so much metal and glass as permanent fixtures over such a large area effectively turns this into an industrial landscape ; The post-construction operations / maintenance aspects of such a huge facility introduces ongoing impacts in terms of the requirements for maintenance crews, vehicles, site lighting, transformer noise, vegetation control / chemicals, vermin / rabbits control, security fencing, access gates, PV panel cleaning. There will be massive on-going long term impacts of such activities / equipment, including equipment lifecycle / replacements and their associated costs / carbon impacts. The wild birds migrating and nesting over such a huge area will be significantly impacted by this imported sea of glass and destroyed natural habitats.