Q&A

How do I attend the ADAS webinar on 16 March at 7pm

Link: https://zoom.us/j/3300368614?pwd=TzYzd0RLa2h4bnpVb0FMS25OaThXQT09

Meeting ID: 330 036 8614

Passcode: JYVL5v

Who is the developer

Econergy. They are listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange and develop solar photovoltaic, wind and storage projects in Europe.

They have not yet constructed a solar ‘farm’ in the UK.

Who are their advisors

ADAS are advising Econergy. ADAS is the UK’s largest independent provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy.

Who is the Landowner

Low Farm, based in Stirtloe.

Has the developer purchased the land

No. The landowner is leasing the land to the developer.

Has a planning application been submitted yet

Not yet. However, the process is underway and is in the public domain on the Huntingdonshire DC website. Please see updates for latest information. You can now object.

What is the size

69 acres - roughly the size of 40 football pitches.

Why is the installation so high

We do not have technical details on the installation. ADAS have informed us that it will be almost 3 metres high (circa 10 feet).

Why will this make flooding worse

The fields are Zone 3 functional floodplains – the land most at risk of flooding from rivers. An industrial solar plant requires large structures, driven deep into the ground, to support the vast arrays of solar panels.  This occupies underground and overground space that would absorb and hold flood waters.  It will inhibit the free flow and dispersal of water when floods occur. This reduces the efficiency of the floodplain and floods will be higher and water run-off will be slower. To use an analogy, if you climb into a bath full of water, the floor will get wet!

Experts predict heavier rainfalls over shorter periods of time due to climate change. Flood levels are rising and floods occur more often. This will stress our floodplains and that is why we need them now - more than ever.