Representation by S C Neller

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. I believe all four projects should be dealt with as one project rather than trying to present them as smaller individual projects. 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. This will be a huge loss of good quality farmland that can produce a vast amount of food at a time of climate change when productivity of farms will be reduced. There should be a change of planning policy so that all new buildings should be constructed with a south facing roof and have solar panels installed. There is no technical reason this cannot be done and would have the added benefit of reducing the need for increases in the distribution network as the majority of the generated electricity could be used (or stored) within the building with the solar panels. 3. There will be 3,000 acres of unprecedented 4.5m high mechanised solar panels.

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