OPPOSE
THE PLANNED INDUSTRIAL SOLAR PLANT IN BUCKDEN
With the undisputed challenges brought about by climate change, we are completely supportive of the drive to increase energy generation from renewable sources. and to move more quickly. The Ukraine conflict brings the energy topic even more to the fore. We also understand that solar farms have a role to play as one potential source of green energy. We say that, even though there is some debate about the long-term future of solar farms.
However, there has to be checks and balances. In addition to the number of solar farms already operating, there are a further 910 proposed in the UK. Many of these have received planning permission and many more will receive it. It is not anti-green to call out the ones that are proposed in unsuitable locations. With so many in the pipeline and with so much money to be made by landowners and developers, it is inevitable that some are proposed on land that is wholly unsuitable.
Our position is that solar farms – which are large industrial plants - should be situated on plots of land that are environmentally suitable for the purpose. In the effort to address climate change, it is short-sighted to attempt to address one environmental challenge, only to create another more serious one by choosing the wrong site.
A company called Econergy are about to submit a planning application to Huntingdonshire District Council to construct an industrial solar plant near Buckden Marina in Cambridgeshire. Due to the location, the proposed solar panels will extend to a height of around 10 feet and will overshadow everything around them. The location is not suitable for an industrial solar plant and below we outline the reasons why.
FLOODPLAIN
The proposed area is two large fields, both functional floodplains, comprising 69 acres in total. A functional floodplain is vital to making space for flood waters. The fields are very close to two local roads, Mill Road and Station Lane. They are the only highway that links the villages of Buckden and the Offords – Offord D’Arcy and Offord Cluny.
The fields are in the highest category of flood risk (zone 3b) according to government sources and they do flood frequently. Buckden and the Offords have lived through flood waters on many occasions, the most recent being the winter of 2020, when homes flooded and roads closed in the area. We cannot find any other example in the UK of a solar plant being built on land that is a zone 3b floodplain. Building a large industrial solar plant on these fields will take the risk of flooding to a new and dangerous level, imperilling a large number of homes, as well as local infrastructure. It is widely acknowledged that climate change will drive heavier rainfall in shorter periods of time increasing the incidence of flooding. This is not the time or place to exacerbate that daunting challenge.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Aside from being zone 3b floodplains, these fields are adjacent to the River Great Ouse and public footpaths. They are popular for rambling, dog walking, exercising, bird watching and fishing. They include over 1.5 kilometres of the Ouse Valley Way – a national source to sea pathway - and are one of the last greenfield spaces in the locality where families can easily access an open area of natural beauty and engage with the environment. The area of river affected is a central part of the 7 kilometre stretch of fishing that Offord and Buckden Angling Society, formed in the early 1800’s, has access to. It includes an area of fast flowing water as well as tranquil parts of the river and its tributaries. The fields are a crucial resource for the community and helped with our health and wellbeing during the pandemic. They continue to do so. These wonderful stretches of river and public pathways would be overshadowed by 40,000 panels, which on this installation, are to be at a height of 10 feet. For security reasons they would be surrounded by a high security fence and the presence of CCTV. These fields are also a very special area for wildlife, attracting insects, mammals and a wide variety of birds covering marine, resident and migratory species. Keeping these fields in their natural state is crucial for the habitat and survival of wildlife in the area.
PROFITING FROM AN ILL-CONCEIVED DEVELOPMENT
It is unfortunate when a landowner puts an environmentally unsuitable site up for such a use. In this case, the installation of the planned industrial solar plant on these proposed fields would directly and negatively impact the lives of residents in the local villages and beyond. It would decimate the wildlife in the area. Furthermore, it would disregard the Buckden Neighbourhood Plan, which was approved by residents and adopted by Huntingdonshire District Council as recently as May 2021. It would also be contrary to Huntingdonshire District Council’s Local Plan. We all understand the importance of green energy sources as part of a strategy to tackle climate change, but that should not make it easy for a landowner to profit from an ill-conceived development that detrimentally impacts the environment and wildlife, and adversely affects surrounding communities.
SUITABLE ALTERNATIVES
There are sites in the area that are not a floodplain, not adjacent to the River Great Ouse and not part of the Ouse Valley Way and other popular public footpaths. They should not be on greenfield sites at all. There are alternatives that should be considered for the intended purpose of an industrial solar plant.
YOUR SUPPORT TO OPPOSE THESE PLANS
The stakes are high for the local environment and community and we will be opposing these plans. Our aim is to ensure this unsuitable site is not approved for a industrial solar plant use. Opposition counts and objections will determine the outcome.
In a joint effort to ensure this plan does not proceed, we welcome support from all sources, whether it be individual members of the local community, or interested groups or bodies who care about this very special area. Please lend us your support by opposing these plans.
