Representation by Richard Farley
- Date submitted
- 2 March 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My overriding concern is that it is incongruous to be considering this Cottam proposal in isolation since it represents but a fraction of the four solar farm schemes covering circa 10,000 acres. Such wholesale development would devastate North Lincolnshire and cause irreparable damage to the local population. I, like the majority of residents in the area, object most strongly to all these proposals. A fact that was indeed recognised in the West Burton, September 2022, circular, Acre for acre these solar farms will cause greater damage to our small green and pleasant land than will the devastation being caused by the deforestation of the Amazon rainforests. Four simple truths, At a time when there is a worldwide food shortage, to destroy 10,000 acres of agricultural land borders on insanity. It will place greater reliance on food imports and quite naturally make the country less self sufficient. The destruction of such a vast area, which equates to double the area destroyed on Saddleworth moors by fire in 2018, when at the time this was considered a natural disaster. Solar energy farming on this scale will cause significant damage to the mental health and wellbeing of the local population. Hitherto the green belt was always considered sacrosanct with development rejected, other than associated with farming, to protect our countryside. Should all these proposals proceed they will produce a 10,000 acre industrial park! Such development will totally destroy wild life in the area, one of the great joys of living in the country. It will take away animals’ natural habitats, food sources and nesting, and will greatly affect migrating birdlife. In addition overall there will be a reduction in carbon capture associated with the loss of 10,000 acres of agricultural land only to be replaced by a totally inefficient energy source. Solar energy in this latitude can only be considered at best a second tier power source owing to the climatic and seasonal changes. In winter when demand is high, power generation will be extremely limited with short days and poor weather. In summer when demand is lower there is currently only limited effective power storage available to harvest excess energy. The storage of significant amounts of power is still currently unachievable. Despite all your consultations, glossy publications and pretence of riding on the back of zero emission reduction, it is apparent to me that all these proposals are purely a money making venture. Accordingly, in the light of the forgoing I will wholeheartedly support any petition or action taken to object and prevent any of these schemes becoming a reality.