Representation by Dawn Butterworth
- Date submitted
- 28 September 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
First of all, I think it is important to say that I am not against green energy at all. I fully support plans to utilise renewable energy as a resource, and finding greener ways of living is absolutely essential to reducing the impacts of climate change on the planet. HOWEVER... We need to be doing this on a much more efficient basis. We are a small country and we need to make every space count. Put solar panels on top of all new builds, on top of all large warehouses and car parks. It may be more expensive, but it is a far better use of space than taking up valuable farmland that we should be using to grow our own food. Surely the recent issues with Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel to name a few have taught us that we must become more self-sufficient when it comes to our food production as well as energy needs? We simply can not choose one over the other, they must go hand-in-hand and be developed properly as a lasting solution. Farmland has to be protected, particularly quality farmland such as we have around the Camblesforth area. It is classed as 96% best and most versatile farmland - SURELY you would want to protect that for food production rather than wasting it on this, meaning that nothing but patches of grass can grow under it???? Our area at the moment is a beautiful network of farmers fields, covered in biodiversity and with the most amazing assortment of wildlife to be found. This wildlife includes some of our most protected species - Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Corn Bunting, Cuckoo, Yellowhammer, Brown Hare, Badger, Lapwing, Peregrine, Red Kite, Grey Partridge, several bat species, and much much more. These species breed here, and have done so for years. We get Fieldfares, Redwings and Whooper Swans spending their winters in these fields after they have migrated thousands of miles. The building, and ongoing maintenance of such a huge proposed solar 'farm' is going to be of huge detriment to the nature we have. How on earth can an owl still hunt in its home when the constant buzz of panels prevent it from being able to hear it's prey?? They hunt by using their superior hearing alone, and depending on the time of year the building is planned to take place, owls may already have young. If this is the case, the owls are very likely to perish as they will not be able to find food. How much damage will happen to our hedgerows? Corn Buntings are seen on a daily basis around here - I am a nature enthusiast and greatly enjoy seeing these important species doing well here when they are struggling so much in other areas of the UK. How can they feed and breed with constant wagon traffic up and down? I have huge concerns about the local nature and impacts this would have, and have sent a comprehensive list of species I have personally seen to Keir Mather, our local MP, along with relevant protection status of each species. As well as concerns for the safety of our wildlife, I also have concerns for the safety of my family and I, and our dogs. We walk up these lanes several times every day, and they are normally quiet, peaceful and tranquil areas with only a few cars to navigate, most of whom are considerate drivers who slow for us and allow us time to get our dogs off the road. Please bear in mind that they are single track lanes and highly unsuitable for high numbers of large vehicles. There are a lot of walkers, dog walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders using these lanes, and I am very worried at the number of accidents that may occur when wagon drivers are on the clock and driving too fast for the road or the conditions. We have one solar farm already underway over the A1041 from us and the amount of dirt already on the road is a worry. My other concern around safety is fire. We have done research and have seen various reports that show battery storage as being a fire hazard, with toxic fumes released upon burning. This battery storage is planned to be close to several neighbours, but also to a yard full of horses. We have young families in the area and many much loved pets as well as a lot of older residents who are unable to evacuate in a hurry should things go wrong. I have a huge concern over the solar panels themselves, what are they being made from? Where are they coming from? Who are Helios and will they still be around in 40 years? If they go into administration, who is responsible for the removal and safe disposal of these panels? What sort of agreement or contract is there likely to be in place to ensure the panels have an overall green effect and reduce carbon footprint? Has there been a full cradle to grave Life Cycle Assessment done for the panels? Are they able to be recycled or will they end up sat somewhere forever, unable to degrade? What due diligence is being done to ensure they are acting in everyone's best interests? What happens to this land after the 40 years is up? Will it return to farm land, or will it be reclassified as suitable for building houses? These people are not from the UK, and are not likely to care what happens to our land. They will not be acting our best interests - they are acting in the best interests of their own pockets. We moved to this area for a reason - the open space, beautiful green farmland and choices of where we could walk the dogs in safety and peaceful surroundings. These proposals take away everything we love about the area and replace it with noise, high prison-like fences and disturbance. The levels of stress caused by this, and taking away our opportunities for wellbeing are a removal of our human rights. My parents bought this house to enjoy well into retirement, and the building of a solar farm is stealing that from them. The house value will be hugely reduced - who will want to buy it and live next to an industrial site???? They have worked so hard for this their entire lives and now they are devastated that it has all been for nothing and they will not have enough money to move elsewhere. And yet what can we do about it? If you allow these proposals to go ahead, then the answer to that is 'nothing'. In short, I am scared for the future - for my parents, for my neighbours, for our pets, and for our wildlife. We have a life and a home here and these proposals threaten all that we have built over the years.