Representation by Ailsa Jane Hall
- Date submitted
- 15 May 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Developer's Byers Gill location context states:- 'Limits and surroundings comprise of agricultural fields, interspersed with individual trees, hedgerows, farm access tracks, woodlands and local farm buildings. There are several local villages within close proximity to the proposed site.' 'open views across the landscape' The description above is the very reason I bought a Grade 2 listed house in the village of Bishopton 10 years ago, due to the fact it is a quiet, rural, picturesque country village. With local quiet roads to walk along to take in the amazing views across fields/wildlife. This landscape is to be ruined with wire gates, metal fences, solar panels 3.5m high, perimeter fencing, sub-station. I am totally confused why with so many industrial areas in Teesside that our village is to have it's views and character ruined in this way! Agricultural land is being lost unnecessarily. The village will be totally surrounded by Solar farms. Not to mention the disruption caused by the creation of this proposed solar farm. Increased traffic and the effect of that on our already damaged road system. The extra noise that will be generated building this will have a negative impact on our quiet village. The proposal document section 5.2.2 Landscape and visual states:- 'The design of the Proposed development has considered the existing landscape and nature of the surrounding communities and has been developed in a way which will see enhancements made to the landscape' This is absolutely untrue! How can a beautiful rural countryside full of fields, hedgerows and wildlife be enhanced by a Solar Farm? This is impossible. The surrounding communities are not being listened to. The beautiful landscape is to be replaced with metal. Having a grade 2 listed building in a Conservation Area in the centre of Bishopton, I have to follow strict rules/guidelines as to how I can change/improve my house to fit in with the historic character of our village. I don't see how 3.5m solar panels, perimeter fencing, battery storage containers, DC Chargers, CCTV, Aux transformers enhance the historic character of the village in a Conservation area! Proposal document 7.2.19 Fencing, states:- 'Proposed plantings can reduce the visual impact of the proposed development' This statement implies and backs up my opinion that there will be a negative visual impact by the building of this solar farm and that the new planting 'may' help. How about leaving the current plants, hedgerows and trees where they are, that have been established for tens, if not hundreds of years?!! Instead of planting a few young/small trees/shrubs to try and cover some of the eyesores that will be erected. This same section of the document also states:- 'Animals - such as small mammals/badgers can navigate through panel areas. Deer - would have to navigate between the hedgerow margins between the fencing and the highway' This is absolutely ludicrous, that animals in their own habitat have to navigate around solar panels using a specific designated pathway. The effect of this development will cause the destruction of our wildlife habitats, ponds and woodlands. Section 7.2.21 Underground cabling, states:- 'As a starting principle for determining cable routes, the Applicant’s first preference is to avoid impacts to local communities that may be derived from utilising routes along existing roads, such as disruption to local access during the works. Avoiding routes along existing roads also has engineering and cost benefits. In comparison, it is considered that the potential for environmental impacts from using off-road routes is low considering the limited area of land required and the short-term nature of construction, with any agricultural land affected able to be returned to agriculture postconstruction. Therefore, it is the Applicant’s preference to avoid on-road c'able routes where feasible, and this approach aligns with NPS EN-5. I am concerned that the cabling routes within this planning application are not already decided. Therefore, a 'starting principle' may be completely ignored and the cables placed wherever the developer chooses is the easiest. Not taking into account the negative affects on our traffic on village roads, access to our houses, tree roots along the route, possible subsidence to properties. The developer states itself in section 7.2.25 the effects of on-road cabling:- 'a.Length and routing of cable – the preferred option provides a more direct routing between panel areas and from the on-site substation to the national grid, resulting in a reduced amount of materials required and removal and replacement of highway materials. b. Cost and programme – the preferred option would result in approximately 50% savings when compared to an on-road cable route. It would also enable a quicker construction programme, saving approximately 10 days per km when compared with on-road cable installation. c. Construction impacts – an on-road cable route would result in the need for temporary traffic measures throughout the construction period and for any maintenance and management activities, resulting in disruption to the local road and public right of way network. Consultation feedback – as identified in the Consultation Report d. disruption to local communities resulting from cable installation was a key theme raised in response to the statutory consultation, as well as any potential impacts on Bishopton Conservation Village during the installation process.' It appears clear to me from points a & b that the developer is keen to use on-road cabling as it is cheaper, quicker and more convenient to them. However, I am in agreement with points c & d above, that this would be very disruptive and could have short term and long-term negative consequences for the villagers. This is quite a major part of the development, which does not seem clear or well-planned in advance in order to reassure us that the village roads would not be dug up. Statements taken from developer's report on CCTV:- 7.2.26. CCTV columns would be placed between the fencing and the solar PV modules, and oriented to look along the gap rather than beyond the Panel Areas. These CCTV columns would be no more than 3. in height; 7.2.27. Pole-mounted, infra-red security detection cameras would be mounted on poles of up to 3m in height located within the perimeter fence. It is anticipated that these cameras would have motion detection technology for recording and would be pointed directly within the Order Limits and away from any land outside of the Order Limits. A typical CCTV pole is shown in ES Figure 2.16 (Document Reference 6.3.2.16); 7.2.28. In relation to visual effects specifically, as reported in ES Chapter 7 Landscape and Visual (Document Reference 6.2.7), the CCTV cameras would be no taller than the solar panels and included within the panel fields. It is therefore considered that they would not have markedly different effects on views and character to those of the other elements (panels, inverters, storage) of similar height within the panel area' In the section above referring to CCTV, I have more concerns and worries. The fact that CCTV is proposed to be installed shows that the installation of this solar farm is obviously a security risk. Our village community has a very low crime rate and pro active neighbour watch to ensure it stays that way. I am extremely concerned that this solar farm is going to be a target for Criminal activity and that will have an effect on the crime rate in the village in general. In addition, I disagree with and am concerned with the statement in 7.2.28 which states that the CCTV cameras will be of similar height to panels, inverters, storage (up to 3.5m). That is not helping the views or character of our village landscape, it is only making it worse. I believe that the benefits to the people of Bishopton from this proposed development are extremely limited and the amenities proposed are very lacking in detail. The phrase 'where possible' is used a great deal in the proposal, which to me is a way of wriggling out of promises. You cannot say, that 'where possible' this development will enhance the landscape with the planting of new hedgerows and green corridors. We don't want or need new planting or corridors, we want out current beautiful view, quiet landscape, safe and sort after village. I have major concerns that the effects of this development will have a negative impact on the value or my house, in a village which is surrounded by a monstrosity of metal that becomes a target for criminals.