Representation by Richard McDermott
- Date submitted
- 28 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
This project and application is incredibly short sighted and will quite probably cause long term damage to the environment - not be of benefit to it. The project and application seems to be motivated by profit only. Sadly it is not part of any strategic plan to secure the long term energy supply for this country, and it will also detrimentally impact on food security when farming and food supply (see current shortages) is already under enough pressure. We do not need this scheme, we need innovation and the best proposals from UK investors and engineers. For example, solar panels could instead be fitted to brownfield sites, on all new builds, on the existing and new gravel pits (sadly) planned in the area, and in France we have solar panels on car parks. We need to have this type of innovation and strategic approach in this country and planning inspectors need to be brave enough to turn down this type of profit making scheme (which will see very little benefit to UK plc). The environmental impact and benefit of solar farms are unproven in this country and there will clearly be a detriment to the local environment, utility, wildlife and useable farmland, which will be for generations and may be permanent. There will also likely be increased flood risk to areas already impacted by increased flooding in recent years. I am certainly not anti solar at all - I believe it is 100% part of the answer to our energy security and needs. But not on farmland to this scale, and with no UK financial benefit. We need to think carefully about the legacy we are leaving and invest in, encourage and permit the right solutions. Finally please look at a map of this locality, and what development on green field has already been approved in this area. We have already lost too much of the local countryside and farmland to contemplate this huge scheme and further loss. I also encourage you to think about the legacy you will personally leave.