Representation by Frank Edward Powell
- Date submitted
- 13 May 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Planning Inspectorate 13th May 2023 Temple Quay House Temple Quay Bristol, BS1 6PN Dear Sir/Ms, WEST BURTON SOLAR PROJECT - UNACCEPTABLE USE OF NOTTINGHAM & LINCOLNSHIRE FARM LAND Reference: A. Cottam Solar Project - Powell Ltr of Objection 23rd February 2023. B. Gate Burton Energy Park - Powell Ltr of Objection 6th March 2023. My wife and I are once again extremely concerned by the application to the Planning Inspectorate to develop the West Burton Solar Farm, which on its own will encompass another 2,000 acres of prime food production land. As previously stated in our objection letters at Reference A & B, when combined with the proposed fourth Solar Farm project, which will shortly submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, these projects will encompass an unacceptable area surrounding at a minimum of 30 Parish Councils. These Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) within a few miles of each other when combined will be the largest Solar Farm complex in Europe and would amount to between 10,000 & 12,000 acres of prime food production land. These proposals for Solar Farms must therefore not be reviewed individually, but combined as the total effect on Lincolnshire & Yorkshire land will be catastrophic. If the totals of 4 Solar Farm projects are approved by the Planning Inspectorate it will have a significant long term detrimental effect for future generations and our children's, children. These projects cannot possibly be allowed to proceed for the following reasons: 1. When assessing the feasibility of the Cottam, Gate Burton West Burton Solar Projects they should not be conducted in isolation as it is understood that following the submission of at least one additional Solar Farm projects the impact upon the environment should be treated as a whole. The combination of all 4 Solar Farm projects within the Nottingham & Lincolnshire area will therefore result in approximately 10,000 to 12,000 acres of prime farm land being used and the largest Solar Farm in Europe being developed in UK and the overall industrialisation of the area as a whole. 2. It is suggested that the approval of all 4 Solar Farm applications will have the following detrimental effect on the proposed area: a. 10 to 12 thousand acres of prime farmland will disappear beneath the Solar Panels and will result in industrialisation of a vast area of countryside; b. The proposed land areas currently provide the most productive food production in the country, generating up to 12 tons of grain per acre – this will be lost for future generations; c. A significant number of agricultural farming supply companies will lose vital business in the area together with the loss of employment opportunities and will most probably have to close; d. 10 to 12 thousand acres of solar panels, each 4.5mtr high will dominate, be a blot on the landscape of the local countryside and will not blend into the environment; e. Parts of the proposed areas for the solar panels will be highly visible such as the BN1398 "Lincoln Cliff Road". This is a designated Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and the views and enjoyment of the countryside will be effected by these Solar Farms; f. Bridle paths, Public Rights of Way and other scenic/country walks will be lost; g. Properties adjacent or within the proximity of the Solar Farms will devalue; h. The possibility of having large Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) located near residential housing will be a potential fire and chemical risk both to life and properties, Would it not be better to locate these Solar Farms close to the Grid connection on Brownfield sites?; i. Using 3 separate parcels of land & being many miles from the proposed Grid connection would incur additional ecological disruption by the unnecessary civil works involved in the cable connections: j. These Solar Farms appear to not have been selected on land suitability or merit, but most likely purely on availability; k. They also do not appear well planned or consider the impact on the environment and wildlife; l. The proposal to erect 10 to 12 thousand acres of Solar Farm in the Nottingham/ Lincolnshire area will encompass 30 Parish Councils area & have a significant and detrimental effect of natural habitats and wildlife; m. It is understood that the total construction time line to build all 4 Solar Farms will take approximately 4 years to complete. The disruption to the 30 local parishes, local countryside and community will be totally unacceptable and will cause significant mental and physical stress to the population; n. It is understood that the grade of agricultural land that is being proposed to build all four Solar Farms is some of the highest quality food production land in the country and which the developers are not being honest about as they are downgrading the land; o. It is apparent that the availability of Brownfield sites, solar panel heights, reflective glare, battery storage, generation capabilities and flood risk was not accurately investigated or communicated to the public by the Solar Farm developing companies; p. We do not consider that the developer "Island Green Power" (West Burton contractor) has engaged fully, honestly & in good faith with the local population; q. It is understood that the life span of these Solar Panels is in the region of 40+ years and will be extremely difficult and expensive to destroy or recycle them; r. It is also understood that the role of solar is extremely limited as it only provides power intermittently and least power when we need it most - e.g. winter evenings. The proposed developments are an inefficient use of land, for their contribution to the energy mix. Would it be more sensible to install solar panels on commercial & domestic roofs where the resultant power will assist the local population with electricity costs; s. Additionally, at the end of life of the Solar Panels the land will be turned in Brownfield sites and will no longer be able to be used for agricultural means. 3. In summary, the Cottam, Gate Burton & West Burton Solar Farm projects should not be assessed by the Planning Inspectorate in isolation of any further Solar Farm proposals that will shortly be submitted. The effect of the total proposed 10 to 12 thousand acre Solar Farm on Nottingham and Lincolnshire highly productive food generation land will be catastrophic and totally unacceptable. Mrs J.M.Powell