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Back to list Helios Renewable Energy Project

Representation by Christopher Fielding

Date submitted
29 September 2024
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. Use of Best and Most Versatile land (BMV) 96% of the land to be used is Grade 1, 2 or 3a. At a time when the country should be prioritising food security amidst global uncertainty this is short-sighted and unnecessary, especially when there are so many other sites that could be used e.g. industrial sites, some of the 12,500 hectares of waste brownfield sites and/or millions of rooftops throughout the country! 2. Cumulative Impact Helios will add another 190MW of solar energy on 476 hectares of land to the west of Camblesforth, effectively surrounding the villages with new solar and renewable energy infrastructure projects amounting to over 2,100 hectares or 8 square miles. With the numerous projects already agreed or in the pipeline, enough is enough. 3. Scale and Dominance The sheer scale of this proposal and its dominance in the location (especially mindful of the other solar farm developments already in place or in the pipeline) is impossible to mitigate. This humongous, overbearing development will create amyriad of concerns both landscape and visual, and radically change the character, rural nature and community spirit of our local village, turning the area into nothing more than a massive industrial estate. 4. a) Noise from the Battery Energy & Storage Systems (BESS) The intention is to site 100 BESS’s each potentially producing between 70 – 90dBs. At worst this will be hazardous to residents in close proximity (nearest house within 650m) and an annoying, irritating nuisance to residents in the wider vicinity, emitting a continuous high-pitched buzz for the next 40 years, night and day. 4. b) Noise & dust from Construction work The levels of noise and dust from the construction work and the vehicles/machinery used e.g. whilst pile driving, is of great concern especially as it will continue for up to 3 years and still be ongoing due to repair and maintenance requirements. Also with the other projects already proceeding or planned, this area will transform into one big industrial construction site 5. Fire & Health Risk As the intention is to house 100 of these BESS’s, the risk is far too great in such close proximity to neighbouring dwellings should such an event occur. The winds will most certainly bring toxic emissions of gases such as hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide and hydrogen straight towards Camblesforth and surrounding villages like Hirst Courtney & Carlton, potentially causing a serious health and safety risk to thousands of residents. 6. Nature Conservation and Biodiversity issues The applicant claims improvements to biodiversity by the adding of sheep and meadow flowers to the area. This doesn’t mean improvements for the natural biodiversity which will be greatly impacted. There are red listed birds, bats, badgers, moles, wild deer and buzzards and more in the area that will suffer as a result of this development. 7. Traffic Generation There is expected to be over 50 HGV deliveries every day for nearly 3 years, which will impact on an already heavily over polluted and busy network. The various projects expected, and ongoing maintenance that will be required, will continue to cause significant disruption and increased pollution for years to come. 8. Risk of Flooding The area in question sits on flood zones 2 and 3a risk flood areas. The compaction of the ground during the construction phase alongside the concentrated run off from the panels can add to the risk of flooding. 9. Water Supplies The land in question sits on a source protection zone and contains a principal aquifer. The construction activities such as piling over such a large area have the potential to alter the groundwater channels. Should there be any leakage this could result in groundwater contamination as a result. 10. Ecology and Sustainability of the land We are greatly concerned for the toxic metal components containing cadmium and lead in the solar panels and the use of hydrochloric acid, gallium arsenide, sulphuric acid and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide in their manufacture. 11. Health & Wellbeing of local residents Currently there is no other development of this size so close to residents nationally and therefore no evidence or data available on the short- and long-term impact on aspects of health and wellbeing. Inflicting this scale of development without such research is gambling with peoples emotional, physical and mental health. 12. Impact on Mobile and Internet Devices This development could negatively impact the already patchy and intermittent broadband and television reception. 13. Assessment of the Lifetime Carbon Footprint of the Solar Panels and batteries From cradle to the grave, what assessment regarding the impact on the carbon footprint has been carried out by Helios? Eg Where & how are raw materials sourced, what happens to batteries and panels when they are no longer operational. How long will this massive site have to run before it makes up the carbon it has produced in its construction and operation 14. Untested PVs The fact that the type of proposed PVs has not been fully tested anywhere in the world to our knowledge, and certainly not on the scale proposed, is extremely concerning. They are also more intrusive as they are on elevated structures and will turn with the sun so noise will also be a problem. 15. Irreversible damage Solar farms are supposed to be time limited and reversible back to land use. If a return to farmland is not contemplated until after a 40-year period, this would have an irreversible and negative impact on the land and local communities. It is already noted that compacting the ground during the piling process could seriously damage the land from the onset. 16. Decrease in Property Value It is appreciated that the loss of property value is not a planning consideration but this is not a normal planning application. Living alongside an industrial estate of this size and magnitude, when properties have previously enjoyed open farmland and countryside, is bound to significantly impact property value. 17 Lack of Proper Consultation Lip service only has been paid by Helios to public consultation. At initial meetings, Helios promised to see all local residents who were directly affected to hear their concerns. This never happened. Numerous invitations by local Parish Councils, such as Camblesforth for Helios to attend their meetings, have been declined. Hence so many are completely unaware of the scale of this project and the irreversible impact on their health, well being and enjoyment of this rural area. 18. Concerns re the Applicant The applicant is not an energy provider, but a fund management company owned by an Australian corporation, through 9 different UK subsidiaries. It appears that Enso Energy is made up of a complex web of companies ultimately controlled by the Macquarie Group based in Sydney, Australia. Is this company qualified and more importantly, is a foreign venture capitalist organisation, based overseas have the best interests of the residents of Camblesforth, Hirst Courtney and Carlton uppermost in its mind.