Representation by Jacqueline Mary Ross
- Date submitted
- 7 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The idea of this solar development fills me with dread and makes me extremely anxious. It’s like a constant threat hanging over me. It isn’t only this development either. It’s the way that many, many other similar developments are being rolled out over the country, devastating nature, and destroying the countryside. I, like most of the people who live in the countryside, live here because I love nature. I love the peace and tranquillity. Seeing deer, hares, squirrels, and numerous other species that make their homes in this rural area, during my frequent walks. It’s special and magical. Those of us who have lived in the area for many years, in our forever homes, are devastated by the threat of our natural environment being destroyed and industrialised in this way. If Solar panels must be used they should be used on brown field sites, new homes, car parks and warehouse roof tops. They should never be used on green, food producing land even if some of it was deemed to be poor quality many years ago. That land has been farmed successfully for many years and its quality has been enhanced each year because that is what farmers do to increase productivity. The world is an unstable place. We need to be as self-sufficient as possible, which means producing as much of our own food as possible along with energy. Solar panels may be needed until something better is developed but the siting of them needs to take into consideration our need to feed the country. They are going to effectively sterilize massive swathes of agricultural land for at least 35 to 40 years. This particular proposal, 3500 acres, is approximately the size of 3500 football pitches. Not only that but the area being affected is closer to 10,000 acres due to the spread of it all. There will be nowhere people can go where they can avoid seeing these panels. The developers would have us believe that the project will enhance biodiversity and that they will plant wildflowers under the panels. Wildflowers need sunlight to germinate and grow. They also need water, neither of which they will get if they are beneath massive steel and glass structures. Much of my garden is shady, due to trees. Very little will grow apart from special shade loving plants. Grass doesn’t do well at all. The logistics of getting the solar panels to the sites means that our narrow country roads, which are an important feature of a rural area, will either be destroyed by the heavy traffic, or must be widened and reinforced, thus taking away all the appeal and character of our rural villages. Some of the verges are protected and form a verge nature reserve. They were planted with wild flower seeds several years ago and attract a large number of pollinators. This year we have had an extremely wet spring. Many fields are flooded, but the land drains help them to remain cultivatable. The panels will be placed on piles, or foundations i.e. pillars of concrete poured into holes drilled in the ground. What happens to the land drains? They are made of terracotta and are relatively fragile so will shatter on impact with a pile or a drilling machine. Once they are compromised they become totally ineffective, and the water will be unable to drain away with obvious consequences. Also the heavy machinery used to transport and install the panels, piles or foundations will compact the soil, even further affecting its ability to drain away excess water. The water table is very high in this area and the above, plus the extra water brought in to clean these panels will add to the detrimental affect on the surrounding homes and countryside, causing more flooding. The proposed site will be surrounded by 3 metre high security fencing to keep thieves and vandals out as well as the deer and other animals that roam these fields. Doncaster police have issued a statement saying that solar farms attract thieves who steal panels and fencing. There will need to be floodlights and security cameras covering the whole development. The light pollution will be devastating to the wildlife as well as residents in the area. One of the wonderful things about living in the countryside is the ability to see the stars and enjoy the night skies. This will be lost. Our once green and pleasant land is turning into an industrial wasteland, and those of us who love and revere it seem powerless to halt it’s destruction. It’s heartbreaking.