Representation by Simon Hobby
- Date submitted
- 11 September 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to object to this application based on several key concerns that I believe have significant and detrimental impacts on my daily life and the surrounding community. My objections centre around the lack of consultation, visual impact, public rights of way, fire risks, wildlife impact, and traffic concerns. These are critical issues that directly affect my day-to-day life, and the applicant has not adequately addressed them. Lack of Consultation The lack of meaningful consultation regarding the battery storage element is highly concerning. As someone directly impacted by this development, I feel that the decision to include battery storage was made without proper engagement with the community. The risks associated with fire, noise, and visual disruption are considerable, yet the developers have not provided adequate justifications for the chosen approach. The "scattergun" placement of battery storage across the site, instead of consolidating it into a single enclosure, creates unnecessary industrialisation in a rural environment and raises questions about the safety and management of this infrastructure. This approach heightens the fire risk and noise pollution, which would negatively affect not only me but also the wider community. Visual Impact The proposed development will have a significant visual impact, particularly along Aldington Ridge. The rural character of the area will be severely compromised by the installation of solar panels and associated infrastructure. From my perspective, the landscape visualisations presented during consultation were misleading, downplaying the true extent of the visual intrusion. The inability to screen high areas means that the panels will be a constant and prominent feature of the landscape, ruining the scenic views that form a key part of the local amenity. As someone who enjoys walking and appreciating the countryside, the visual impact of 3-metre high solar panels, mesh fencing, and CCTV cameras along public rights of way would drastically reduce my enjoyment of these routes. Impact on Public Rights of Way The development will disrupt at least 12 ancient public rights of way, which have been used by the local community for generations. Some of these will be extinguished, and others diverted, altering the traditional landscape and reducing the quality of my walking experience. The thought of being surrounded by towering solar panels instead of open countryside is particularly disheartening. This area is not only a place of natural beauty but also a space for recreation and exercise, which is integral to my daily life. The loss of this amenity is unacceptable, and the proposal shows no regard for how this will affect local residents. Fire Risk and Safety Another significant concern is the fire risk associated with battery storage. Without sufficient fire risk assessments and emergency response plans, the community is left vulnerable to the potential hazards of having such infrastructure placed so close to residential areas. The narrow roads, such as Station Road leading to Callywell, and pinch points will complicate any emergency response, putting my safety and that of my neighbours at risk. EPL001 Ltd has not sufficiently addressed this issue or justified why the battery storage cannot be sunk into the ground to mitigate these risks. Traffic and Narrow Roads The Traffic Management Plan, as proposed, is inadequate and does not consider the impact on narrow roads, such as Station Road. These roads already face challenges, and the introduction of heavy construction traffic for at least 12 months will exacerbate the situation. The pinch points and narrow sections of these roads are not designed to handle this level of traffic, which will lead to congestion, delays, and safety risks. This will severely affect my daily commute and the overall quality of life for residents. The plan does not address the danger posed by heavy machinery crossing over key roads, such as those near Goldwell Lane, or the disruption to regular traffic flow, which is vital for those of us who rely on these routes. Impact on Wildlife The development poses a significant threat to local wildlife, including important species such as skylarks and yellowhammers, both of which are on the Red List, and brown hares. The proposed mesh security fencing around the solar panels will disrupt the movement of badgers and other wildlife, creating a fragmented and inhospitable environment for these species. As someone who values the local biodiversity, I find this lack of consideration for wildlife protection unacceptable. The developers have not done enough to mitigate these impacts or explore alternative designs that would be less damaging to local ecosystems. In conclusion, the cumulative effect of these concerns makes the proposed development highly inappropriate for this area. The lack of consultation, the severe visual impact, the disruption to public rights of way, fire safety risks, traffic congestion, and the threat to wildlife all make this project untenable. I strongly urge the planning committee to reject this application.