Representation by Ian James Robins
- Date submitted
- 25 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The proposed project will have a major impact on a rural community during the construction phase and longer term legacy effects. We moved to the village because we have horses and wanted to live in the countryside. We currently have unobstructed views of open fields but this project would put an end to this. Area F in the plans is immediately adjacent to one of our fields and the current design shows solar panels located a few metres from our boundary fence. These panels along with the associated high fencing, security cameras and associated equipment will change the landscape to an industrial one. There are also plans for battery storage units with the inherent fire risk which are difficult to extinguish using conventional means. Our concern is for our animals which can be easily spooked. If they were to become frightened by anything and escape the field and they got into the field containing the panels the results would be devastating. There are no amount of remedial measures that can be put in place to reduce this impact in the long term let alone the short term. The village will obviously become an area attractive to vandals and thieves. This particular area that affects me the most is just a small part of the total project which covers the area around the village and the adjacent countryside. During the construction phase the amount of traffic through the village makes walking a bigger risk as there are no pavements or established footpaths. The proposed cabling route through the middle of the village will involve digging up an already narrow road which needs to accommodate farm vehicles. This project, if approved, will not just affect our lives but will change it forever.