Representation by Sarah Louise Lane
- Date submitted
- 13 May 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I currently am a beneficiary of a house in the area impacted by these proposals and I have huge concerns about this project. I have listed them below but serious consideration needs to be given to this project and the impact on the surrounding villages. Firstly, the impact of this project on the mental health of those living in the area. People move to the countryside for a number of reasons but one of those is to live a peaceful life away from technology. There are numerous studies that show that people simply breathe easier in the countryside. Disrupting the Green belt and the view will potentially lead to large mental health concerns in the area and could potentially lead to greater NHS burden in that area. Protection of the countryside and small village environs (especially those which are historic) is also vitally important to the protection of national heritage and tourism. People visit the UK based on its long history and completing this project sets a precedent. The north east needs regeneration and the funds to develop this site will not have the same impact on job creation as they could if funds were focussed elsewhere. Wildlife - animals need space and the building disruption will be enormous. Never mind that the technology in solar panels requires chemicals. The UK is facing a food shortage - the world is. Converting agricultural land to a solar farm will further prevent that development. SHouldnt the focus be on ploughing nutrients back into the soil. Perhaps new houses should all have solar - there is a great company out there called Soltropy that has great technology for nursing homes, holiday parks etc where the panel can be on the roof out of view. Shouldnt you be focusing efforts on that? You are driving down housing prices in a village with a large number of retirees. Currently, people move to the country once they have established their careers etc and perhaps dont have to commute as much. In essence, people dream of retirement to rural life. Creating a precedent with solar farms could mean that more people look to move abroad. Wouldnt this be better placed next to a motorway or industrial park - is this really the best site that the developer can find? Could you not push this to an area where it is less likely to have such huge impacts. The planning inspectorate has a duty to perform and letting this development proceed is falling short of that duty. Everyone wants to move to netzero but let's be careful and measured on how that is achieved!