Back to list Mallard Pass Solar Project

Representation by The Richards family

Date submitted
1 March 2023
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. I am concerned about the amount of BMV farm land proposed to be used. I am not averse to solar per se, but believe there are sufficient alternative sites that should be used before considering valuable arable land. eg brown field sites, industrial roofing, new build roofing, and more isolated open land sited next to motorways etc...where disruption would be minimised. 2. The context of the plan is missing from the presentation of the proposal. The area it is within is naturally bound on four sides by the Great North Road, the Welland Valley, the Fens, and the A151, and covers approx 50 square miles. It is an ancient farming community which has, over the centuries, learned to live alongside and complement a hugely rich and diverse wildlife. The proposal seeks to take approximately 20% of that area for the largest (to date) solar farm in the UK (almost 10 square miles). The impact will be devastating on a) wildlife and biodiversity in general, b) the human population who value the area for recreation/tourism/health and well being and c)the population who by choice, live in the area to be 'redeveloped'. It is of note that of the approx 70,000 people who live in our 50 square miles, c.50,000 will be a maximum of 2 and a half miles from the site or closer and therefore affected by it on a daily basis. Of the remaining 20,000, 18,000 live in Bourne only four and a half miles from the site. The site will bring maximum disruption to the maximum number of people possible in the area and shows scant concern for their good interests. 3. I am concerned that the balance of nature will be irreparably damaged. Isolating pockets of ancient woods in seas of solar panels linked by wildlife corridors will not mitigate the damage. Wildlife does not exist or thrive in small vacuums, it co-exists in balance in wide connected areas. The proposal's assertion that it will 'enhance the green infrastructure' reveals a profound misunderstanding of what nature is and how it works, and therefore, how to manage invasion of its environment. 4. I have many concerns about the supply chain. I find it a complete anomaly to talk in one breath of 'green' energy, and then propose sourcing solar panels from the world's highest polluter by far, who probably manufacture 'green' solar panels using energy produced by coal fired power stations, and then further increase their carbon footprint by shipping them half way across the world. Notwithstanding, there are also numerous questions about the human rights of those who have made the panels. 5. There have been questions raised about the credibility of some of the lead management of this project, should it go ahead. I am in no way qualified to adjudicate on such issues and do not wish to associate myself with any of those discussions, however, the fact that such issues have been publicised raises deep concerns about how such a project would be managed, bearing in mind the enormous damage and blight that could be sustained by the area were the project to suffer failure before completion, and I would therefore want to know what assurances for the local population would be enshrined in any approval .