Kingsway Solar Community Action calls on objectors to participate in public consultation about proposed solar farm near Haverhill
Campaigners against a proposed 1,500 hectare (3,700 acre) solar farm near Haverhill are calling on people to take part in the public consultation.
Kingsway Solar Community Action (KSCA) was formed after Downing Renewable Developments revealed its proposals for the green energy farm on three parcels of land near Balsham, Weston Colville, West Wratting, Brinkley and Willingham Green, stretching as far as the A11.
Called Kingsway Solar, the farm would have the potential to supply around 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the National Grid and power 175,000 homes. It would be the biggest solar farm in the UK should it go ahead.
A period of public consultation has been running for four weeks and, with the closing date on December 12, KCSA wants as many objectors as possible to submit their comments.
It is particularly important to do this, says the group, which includes representatives from all the parishes that would be affected, because the decision to allow or deny permission for its construction will be made by the Secretary of State and not any local authority.
Colin Eade, one of the KSCA founders, said: “At the moment it’s a consultation.
“We just need people to get involved and put in their objections and say why they don’t want it. It’s no good them just saying they don’t want it, they need to give reasons.
“We are getting ourselves organised. We have got a website and a Facebook group, we are getting there and we have put a lot of work in in a short space of time.”
To submit a comment and get more details on the proposal, go HERE
The KSCA objects to the solar farm on grounds including the loss of high-quality agricultural land affecting food security and rural economies, that the solar farm would be detrimental to local ecosystems, biodiversity and wildlife and proximity to residential areas.
The KCSA is also concerned about the economic and regional impact and wants to ensure there are long-term benefits to the community if it goes ahead.
