Representation by Emily Lunn
- Date submitted
- 11 September 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am making this representation as an equine veterinary surgeon who rides with my children on the lanes around Aldington, mainly Laws Lane, Bank Road and the byway AE396, from my parent’s farm (Redacted). I am referencing the British Horse Society Guidelines on Solar Farms which are generally considered to be best practice. https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/rbid1hpr/solar-0424.pdf • The guidelines state that “the Routes for constructions traffic should avoid passing along or across equestrian routes, including byways and bridleways. Where such use is unavoidable, provision of safe alternatives for the duration of the development, or protection of the equestrian access, should be in place”. Byway AE396 has 3 planned permanent access to work points (A7, A8 and A9) and it is evident that the developer is planning to use the byway extensively for site traffic. There are plenty of potential access points along Bank Road and it cannot be the case that the use of the byway for site traffic is unavoidable. In the current developers plans there is no alternative provision for equestrian users avoiding roads. There are also two planned permanent crossings of the byway for use during the operational phase, which should also be avoided • The guidelines state that “Inverter housing should be constructed to avoid sound transmission and sited away from bridleways and byways to ensure operational noise and maintenance is at a distance”. Contrary to this there are 4 battery/inverter stations adjacent to the byway • The guidelines state that “Existing bridleways, byways or other highways across the land should be provided for at no less than 5m width between fences.” It is not clear that this 5m corridor will be maintained all along the byway.