Representation by Janet Dover
- Date submitted
- 4 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am vehemently opposed to the siting go of Solar PV 1) on fertile agricultural land, particularly in this uncertain period of conflicts and difficulties in international shipping & supply of food items, as we turn more and more fertile arable land over to Solar we are becoming increasingly dependent on produce imports, when we as a nation should be more self sufficient. 2) The project is 1 of 4 huge project and additional under 50 mw proposals in area, so close to each other & with companies collaborating that it should be considered in terms of impact as one mega site. 3) I am concerned with the damaging effect on wildlife & nature as it exists now and disbelieve the project will add a greater net bio diversity after destroying existing thriving species. This will further be devastated by the destruction of trees and miles of hedgerows that are crucial to supporting a bio diverse nature but this is planned by the developers. 4) I am fearful of the level & duration of construction noise, particularly piling but also heavy plant, these will be operational near to residential homes, businesses etc. the effect over such a long period will be detrimental to health ( physical & mental). 5) I am opposed to the amount of heavy, medium and light vehicular traffic on a daily basis using country roads that are unsuitable for heavy transport and passing through villages and settlements. There will in all probability be an adverse impact on residential housing via vibration, emissions and noise and to road surfaces that are not designed or engineered to accommodate the volume or weight of these vehicles. This transport armada will increase the danger to road users over the periods of construction, deconstruction and periodic panel replacement ( circa 10 yrs ) 6) I am concerned that the installation of so many acres of solar PV panels will increase the risk of flooding to roads & property, the area is a heavy clay soil (superb for growing crops in dry conditions) and is has a slow permeable quality. The fields would no longer be tilled but rather compacted by construction, heavy plant use & piling. No satisfactory explanation has been received as to how the runoff from so many panel would be prevented from exasperating the inherent problem of surface area flooding. 7) Residents are worried about being affected by a reduction in property values, with sales of available and formerly attractive houses remaining unsold due to the threat of solar development. 8) The impact on the local and greater areas in terms of employment are large, not only are some tenant farmers threatened with loss of livelihood and home, but local businesses are concerned about the impact too. The tourist industry in the area will undoubtedly suffer due to loss of rural landscape & outlook, for example the views from Lincoln Castle & Cathedral would look down the Trent valley upon an almost continual landscape of grey 4 m high solar panels rather than a patchwork of hedgerows and ever changing seasonal colours. Smaller establishments catering for tourists in the area will be hit with the loss of rural surroundings in exchange for an industrial desert scape. 9) I have reservations about the promising alluded output of the site and it’s claimed contribution to the number of homes it can power, I have come to understand that these sites are only about 11% efficient therefore their claims must be reduced to better give a more accurate power output/ homes powered. I was further concerned to learn that the project will be reliant on West Burton B gas turbine power station for base load power, nighttime energy, and jump in power on dull or cloudy days. The turbine on bright days when lazy solar works means WB B power station is running below optimum until required therefore increased Levelled cost of Electricity (LCOE). West Burton C is I believe under construction (a swift cycle gas turbine) although I believe this is designed to rapidly reach optimum generation temperature from rest, for dull periods cloud etc. it requires over double the amount of gas to achieve this. Increasing LCOE. 10, I am opposed to the erection of fencing , security lighting and CCTV cameras around solar arrays mile after mile turning the rural area into a stark concentration camp enclosure, ruining the ambience of rural surroundings, preventing Deer, Fox, Badger etc from ranging. 11. I am fearful of the inclusion of huge container Lithium Ion battery sites, I feel they are unstable and dangerous. These batteries are prone to flash explosion causing fire that is difficult to contain or extinguish, the fumes emitted are dangerous and toxic chemicals would be leached into land and or river courses. There needs to be approved standard for these BSS which I believe do not yet exist and county fire & rescue services will require the manpower, equipment, training and protective PPE to cope with the threat of accidental fire. Also civil plans for the evacuation and accommodation of affected residents/ businesses, livestock etc need to be considered.