Representation by Sally Cottle
- Date submitted
- 28 March 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish the 3000 acre Cottam Solar project to be considered as part of the combined 10,000 acres of solar proposed by a total of 4 local schemes surrounding my village. I am concerned that most of this covers existing productive farmland which will reduce the output of essential home grown cereals. Whilst I support the need for ‘reasonably’ sized solar systems to be integrated into the landscape in the future, these 4 adjacent proposals would result in complete industrialisation of the present quiet green countryside and villages in this area. I therefore oppose the massive scale of the combined projects and urge the planning inspectorate to consider each individual proposal as part of a larger scheme. Village life will be changed aesthetically for ever if all the proposals are accepted. The pleasant landscape will be destroyed and existing wildlife habitats which we treasure will be seriously disturbed. … I would like this project to be considered as part of 4 separate solar proposals within my local area which collectively cover 10,000 acres of productive farmland. This potential industrialisation of the countryside will seriously impact local villages and residents, scar the landscape and destroy existing wildlife habitats. I object to the vast scale of these proposals and the resulting loss of home grown food production on farmland at this critical time.