Representation by Janet Todd
- Date submitted
- 28 April 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly object to the Byers Gill Solar Farm development for the following reasons: As a resident of Great Stainton, I am devastated at the size and scale of this development particularly in association with other nearby solar farm projects which already have approval. The total of all sites within 4km radius of the village will be in excess of 2,600acres. We moved to our Georgian farmhouse in Great Stainton in 2020 as it was in an area of outstanding beauty and situated in open countryside. The fabulous views from our property are afforded due to the elevated site and look out across rolling hills. This view would be a sea of metal and glass where once was plentiful farmland. Whilst completing this objection, I can see from our lounge window, green fields and woodland – this view will change totally to that of an industrial landscape – I find it impossible to understand how this can be acceptable and worry constantly about the impact this will have on our lives. Having currently unobstructed views of open countryside, the thought of high perimeter security fencing and intrusive CCTV would feel like a prison, again, how can we be expected to live with this – it’s a devastating change to our home life – my husband is retired and I am soon to finish work and would have no choice but to live with this overwhelmingly distressing situation for the rest of our lives. Professionally, I am managing a project building large laboratories for science based companies and have ensured that roof spaces have been maximised with solar panels – surely this is the way to encourage best use of renewables alongside wind farms which are much more efficient together with the use of brown field sites rather than highly productive, rural farmland. Given the current global economic climate, we must retain and enhance our food production in the UK. Due to global warming, crop yields are already declining so we should not lose even more productive farmland to industrialisation and leave ourselves vulnerable to global markets. As the government has confirmed that offshore wind will produce more than enough electricity to power every home in the country by 2030, based on current usage, there is no requirement to use high quality land for inefficient solar farms. Such a huge industrial development would have a devastating negative impact on local wildlife habitats. The cumulative effect of all of the developments would mean that whole swathes of land would be inaccessible to wildlife – how can we morally and ethically allow this to happen? The road network around the village is already busy and difficult to access at commuter periods. The additional traffic associated with the development of the solar farm would make an already challenging situation much worse with the roads unsuitable for HGV’s. The roads have been flooded on a weekly basis and at times impassable – how will this increased traffic impact on our daily lives and increase potholes etc on small country lanes. The nearby Winfield solar farm, currently in development, is within 2.5 miles of Great Stainton and the roads are horrendous, with masses of potholes and huge lorries making driving dangerous and sometimes terrifying on the narrow windy roads. In summary, I would support the use of renewables but not at any cost when other more efficient and effective options are available. I would strongly urge the Planning Inspectorate to do the right thing and reject this proposal – we must not condone the ruining of agricultural land and our countryside when other alternatives are available and more efficient.