Representation by David Swayne
- Date submitted
- 16 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Cottam Proposal is just 1 of 4 Solar projects within a few miles of each other, amounting to 10,000 acres. This would be the largest solar farm complex in Europe. At present all 4 proposals will be examined independently, is that reasonable when they will impact upon the local area as a whole? The Cottam proposal is over 3,000 acres and combined with the other 3 proposals we stand to lose 10,000 acres of productive farmland. The UK has issues with food security and cannot afford to lose valuable food producing land when it is perfectly possible to site solar panels in brown field locations. Has the Island Green Power properly considered the potential to use sites that will not damage the country's food security? The proposal includes the development of one of the world's largest Battery Energy Storage Systems near Willingham by Stow. This is a potential fire and chemical risk to life and property. Is it acceptable to locate this infrastructure close to residential property? Has Island Green Power considered locating this equipment on a brownfield site that is close to a Grid connection? The area has several power stations that are being decommissioned and they must be brownfield sites with Grid connections?