Representation by Rowena Burridge
- Date submitted
- 9 April 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I write to express my extreme disgust to the proposed Byers Gill Solar farm project. I realise that we need to find solutions to our energy problems and that they need to be renewable but these projects need to take into account Food security, our valued countryside and biodiversity, which is outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework. Using the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land to construct such an enormous solar farm goes against the Framework guidelines. Great Stainton is surrounded by Grade 3 prime agricultural land which should be kept in use to produce food. Food security is vitally important as the climate is changing and becoming wetter. Many farmers have not been able to plant as much, if any, crops this year so far thus reducing our potential for food production. We cannot rely on food coming in from other countries due to the cost and also the fact that they themselves are also experiencing problems with the weather. We cannot allow this land to be downgraded to 3b in order to allow the application to pushed through. Having visited the area for a number of years I have often seen fields full of oilseed rape, potatoes, grass and cereals. Would it not be better to put large solar projects or probably wind turbines on ex industrial ground such as the thousands of acres at Redcar British Steel. This land has already been used to spoiled by industry. We also need to be looking at wave power which is a constant reliable source. A development as large as this will completely ruin the landscape. As there are also a further 8 developments with planning consent within a 5 mile radius this will result in a massive reduction in the beauty, amenity and wildlife havens of the local area. They will also completely dwarf the local villages and turn them into an industrial site. The long term environmental sustainability of solar farm is also a worry. They produce an average of 11% of their installed capacity and generate variable electricity. This does not seem like a viable option for all the destruction that will be caused and a very good return for the investment involved. This is particularly true of the winter we have just had as it has been consistently cloudy. The time when we need electricity the most is in the winter and being in the north of England the sun cannot be relied upon I also question the ability to recycle the solar panels when they are no longer productive. The destruction to the wildlife population due to the 42 meter battery storage units, 2 meter high metal fencing surrounding the panels, the intrucive CCTV, the infrared lighting makes it an ecological disaster. Not to mention the noise emitting from the panels when it is raining. To conclude, the Byers Gill Solar Farm project fails to align with the sustainable development and protection of landscape principles as outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework. As such I implore the NSIP to reject this proposal and look at other more environmentally appropriate alternatives to solving our energy problems and thus retaining our vital agricultural land and beautiful countryside and wildlife.