Back to list Cottam Solar Project

Representation by Gidlow (Gidlow)

Date submitted
21 February 2023
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. The Cottam proposal is Just 1 of 4 Solar, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) within a few miles of each other. Together this would be the largest solar farm complex in Europe and would amount to 10,000 acres in total. The impact on the environment would be significant and it is very difficult to imagine what this would actually look like At present all 4 proposals will be examined independently. I feel that this is wrong and it would be reasonable for them to be assessed as a single project. I also feel that other projects around the country should be considered - how much green farmland do we want to lose and industrialise? 2. The Cottam Solar proposal, at over 3,000 acres, combined with the other 3 proposals have a cumulative effect of 10,000 acres of farmland lost and the industrialisation of the area as a whole. I feel it is wrong to lose food producing land in this scale. I feel putting solar panels on farmland is wrong 3. In the cottam proposal there will be 3,000 acres of unprecedented 4.5m high mechanised solar panels. This would be an eye sore and dominate the landscape. Currently green agricultural land would become industrialised. 4. The proposal would be highly visible from areas such as the B1398 "Lincoln cliff road." This is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). My personal mental health and wellbeing would be reduced. I moved from a city to be in the countryside -Views, walks and enjoyment of the countryside be affected. I feel others without a voice (due to age, disability are unable to give their objection) 5. I object to the proposal for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Willingham by Stow. It's size is difficult to comprehend. It would be One of the world's largest. I believe it is a potential fire and chemical risk to life and property. I do not feel it is acceptable to locate this kind of infrastructure so close to residential areas. Especially in such a rural location 6. The proposal shows development in areas up to a distance of 12 miles (20km) from the Grid connection, on 10 separate parcels of land. I feel this is excessive. 7. The industrialisation of all these separate parcels will disrupt the lives of those nearby forever and will cause ecological disruption to biodiversity forever. The civil works involved in the cable connections will cause disruption to many areas and the environment and wildlife in these areas. Have wildlife surveys been done for all areas? Most will home multiple plants, insect, birds (including owls, kestrel, buzzard), badgers, foxes, deer, hare. Building work and fencing afterwards will cause animals distress, disrupt breeding season, pathways, movement across the land and their homes will be lost 8. The industrialisation would take a 4 year construction period when combined with the other 3 projects on a building site of 10,000 acres. Traffic noise during the period would be significant this would be negatively effect my mental health and physical well-being. 8. Were important factors such as brownfield site use, panel height and glare, battery storage, generation capabilities and flood risk, sincerely and accurately communicated during the pre planning information? I feel that benefits from the panels are exaggerated. I do not believe the developer Island Green Power engaged fully and in good faith 9.The role solar can play in our production of energy is limited because it provides power intermittently and least power when we need it most – e.g. winter evenings. The proposed developments are therefore an inefficient use of land, for their contribution to the energy mix. I feel it would be more effective to install solar panels on commercial and domestic roofs, where it will directly reduce bills instead of using farmland. Or to consider development of the wind turbines off shore, or new small nuclear developments 10. The solar farm apparatus is likely to be manufactured abroad (China) Ethically I do not believe we should be buying from China. Will the human rights of these overseas workers be respected? Will the construction labour have the safety and welfare rights a British worker would have? 11. How will the environment in the country where they are produced be protected? How much pollution would be caused by the manufacturing and then shipping of the panels and wires etc Are the panels really "green" to produce? I do not feel they are