Representation by David Allan Bancroft
- Date submitted
- 3 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
OBJECTION TO PLANNING APPLICATION Ref: EN010143 East Yorkshire Solar Farm Limited. Generating Stations The Scheme will comprise the construction, operation (including maintenance) and decommissioning of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays which will generate electrical energy from the sun. The Scheme includes underground cabling to connect to the national electricity transmission network at National Grid's Drax Substation; underground cabling between the areas of solar PV panels; areas of landscaping and biodiversity enhancement; and other associated development. comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays, together with substation, inverter/ transformer stations, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure, landscaping. I wish to register my objection to this planning application in the strongest possible terms. Whilst I acknowledge the climate challenges facing our planet and the need to increase the sustainability of our energy production across the UK this application for a huge solar farm will engulf the area and cause demonstrable harm to our countryside, heritage assets and agriculture. It proposes very little by the way of community benefit to mitigate this harm. I therefore OBJECT for the following reasons: 1) Loss of good quality agricultural land. I have concerns about the unjustified use of quality agricultural land, Proposal for a solar farm on good quality and versatile agricultural land would I believe a major mistake. It is very important to prevent good quality land being lost to development to allow food to be grown in the UK and to reduce the reliance on imported food. The scheme represents a wholly inappropriate change of use of a substantial land area at a time when food security and the farming sector are under massive stress. I would also ask if the checks for the field classification submitted by the applicant is by an independent surveyor. If not it places doubt over the credibility of the applicant’s supporting agricultural statement. 2) Detrimental change to the character of open fields and farmland North of Howden the character of this area is one of open fields dotted with individual buildings and tiny villages. The solar farm will dominate the area and change the character of this part of the countryside. However this enormous installation will blight this highly coveted countryside. There are a number of residential properties located close to the site boundary including ours. The development will have a significant adverse visual impact to these properties, especially from first floor windows Large solar farms such as that being proposed here, have the potential to have a transformative effect on the land which could have consequences for local wildlife. For example, studies have suggested that birds can mistake the mirror like glare from solar panels for water, and collide into the panels when trying to land with deadly consequences. The RSBP have reported that insects that lay eggs in water may mistake solar panels for water bodies due to reflection of polarised light. Under certain circumstances insects have been found to lay eggs on the panel surfaces which has the potential to impact their reproductive biology. In addition, security fencing around the site could become a barrier to the movement of wild mammals and amphibians, and represent a collision risk for Deer,Foxes,Badgers and some bird species will be excluded from their established habitat. 3) Increased risk of flooding Flooding around these fields. It is undeniable that the ground will be compacted when construction begins, structures such as the battery containers, concrete supports, foundations, fences and other impervious equipment will result in less land that can take up excess water. These fields are regularly ploughed and this helps let rainwater soak down through the surface. This flooding mitigation will be lost if covered in panels and the areas around the solar panels are likely to become trodden down from being used for maintenance access (or by sheep grazing) and are less likely to soak up water. The panels will deviate heavy downpours and result in a greater risk of flooding. Any increase in the risk of flooding is unacceptable given the current problems in the area. 4) Public rights of way Whilst public rights of way are being retained their enjoyment will be ruined by this enormous installation. The high security 6.5ft mesh fencing, CCTV, 11ft high transformers, and other supporting infrastructure are eyesores and blight the public pathways. A bit of planting that will take 15 years to establish is insufficient mitigation and in any event would destroy the openness of some of these pathways. These trails are popular and used by local residents and visitors. The high security fences and planting (when established) will enclose parts of the routes through the solar farm and turn them into corridors. This is harmful to the visual amenity of these treasure walks. However in the autumn and winter when most of the surrounding trees have no leaves the solar farm will be more obvious and harmful. I believe the health and well-being is particularly important for our community during this difficult period and landing these alien structures right next to our walkways and many homes is a backward step. support for solar PV should ensure proposals are appropriately sited, give proper weight to environmental considerations such as landscape and visual impact, heritage and local amenity, and provide opportunities for local communities to influence decisions that affect them. The development does not meet these tests nor has there been proper engagement to meet the objections raised by the local community. 5) Construction traffic & traffic management The construction stage will involve articulated lorries, HGV’s and vans transporting materials to site. The access route to the site hasn’t been confirmed, but the roads through Howden and villages are extremely narrow and have houses directly on either side of the road which will be significantly impacted by the noise and vibration caused by the very large increase in HGV traffic during the construction phase. The lanes are very narrow with single lanes and soft verges to a large proportion of this development and are in poor condition with passing point also in poor condition. Some parts will be unable to take two way traffic. queuing traffic at traffic lights in areas of single track roads with soft verges will create havoc to every day users. 6) Risk of the farm land not being reinstated Assurances given at the public meetings I attended at Spoldington golf club & Loftsome Bridge hotel that decommissioning and reinstatement to farm land would occur at the end of use. I cannot see how this is attainable due to the deep piling for stabilisation of structures. The reinstatement of the land will be a costly exercise and an enormous risk should the company go bust. It is I believe the works to remove all the equipment is costed and put into a bond so the council can ensure the land is reinstated should the company go into liquidation or not have the finances after the planning consent expires. Without this the removal of the equipment will be unenforceable. 7) I am concerned that the level of rural crime which is already a problem in rural areas will increase. 8) We have a holiday cottage business and have concerns that the unsightly appearance of the solar farm is likely to impact on visitors coming to or returning, The majority of our clientele are from urban areas and like the country side setting we have. For all the above reasons this enormous ill-conceived development is wholly unacceptable and I urge the Council to refuse planning permission. Yours sincerely,