Speaking on behalf of my constituents at the Planning Inspectorate hearings on September 8 and 9 on the ‘Meridian’ proposals I explained my fierce opposition to giant solar developments built across four sites close to Crowland, Shepeau Stow, Cowbit and Whaplode Drove, taking 2,700 acres of grades 1 and 2 land out of food production.
In doing so, I called on the applicant to withdraw plans which are imprecise, inadequate and incompetent.
It was clear at the hearings that the developer has not grasped the required level of detail, with many fundamental questions posed by me, the planning officers, Lincolnshire County Council and the Meridian Action Group left entirely unanswered.
In opposing this misguided, speculative application from the outset, my principal concern throughout has been that it would be built entirely on some of the nation’s most fertile land.
The developer could not explain to planning officers why they had chosen these sites in particular, given the availability of brownfield sites and lower grade land within a reasonable distance.
When asked why the chosen location was on a flood zone 3 site, with lower flood risk sites on land not far to the west, they failed to give a clear answer.
In addition, it was shocking to hear representatives from National Grid highlight the unsuitability of the plans given Meridian do not even have a guarantee of the necessary grid connection.
The description of millions of panels being installed for 40 years as “long term temporary” was surreally shocking.
Neither has the developer engaged with the Environment Agency about the risks to eels, fish and other aquatic habitats, nor with Natural England regarding the noise impact and risk to birds and bats from the accompanying pylons (potentially 216 feet tall!). Nor had they done the requisite preparation with Anglia Water in respect of how much water they intend to use – an urgent concern given the drought we have just experienced.
The fact that the developer intends to build on all four sites simultaneously, with scant regard for the impact of months of heavy-duty construction traffic on the nearby narrow roads, is highly concerning given the obvious safety risks and disruption.
Preposterously Meridian’s representatives claimed that no agricultural jobs would be harmed as a result of the industrialisation of so much farmland!
The sting in the tail was that not a penny was offered in the form of a community benefit fund – meaning residents suffering so much disruption will receive no help whatsoever.
Readers can be sure that I will fight this destruction of our area by writing to the planning inspectorate to emphasise the above points.
Sir John Hayes
MP for South Holland and the Deepings
