Developers of a proposed massive solar farm have announced changes to the original plan which has led to an accusation that the area for solar panels has been increased by stealth.
Meridian Action Group (MAG) says the 38 changes just announced for the Meridian Solar Farm will increase the area covered by solar panels by almost 15 hectares, but with no reason given for the increase.
The changes mean that Meridian Solar has had to enter another round of public consultation, despite feedback from an initial consultation revealing no changes to the proposals.
But MAG has accused the developers of failing to present the changes in a clear, concise and transparent manner.
MAG member Sally Waltham has spent hours examining the consultation document and said it is not fit for purpose.
It includes map illustrations which are far too small to make any sense. The online version is no better, with limited digital enlargement.
Another major change is a new location within the site for battery storage, alongside a new substation north of Queens Bank, Whaplode Drove, but on a much bigger parcel of land than originally planned.
One reason given for this is that it would be a better location for emergency services to reach in the event of fire.
The new consultation is listed as “targeted” but MAG is asking the developers what logic was employed for distribution. Some households received as many as three copies of the consultation document, while others received none.
The document is so difficult to fully understand that MAG has now asked for an urgent meeting with Meridian Solar and an extension of the consultation period if that cannot be organised quickly. The new consultation was launched on September 24 and ends on October 22.
Some of the changes are being proposed to mitigate against the possibility of flooding, a section where cables need to be underground where the route crosses existing overhead cables and many relating to additional land use to accommodate large vehicle movements on narrow roads or where there are difficult junctions. These extra pieces of land would also be used to provide construction and maintenance access, facilitate haul routes, provide temporary construction compounds, passing bays and traffic management measures.
MAG says it is not clear what is being sacrificed to accommodate more solar panels and a bigger area for battery storage, but fears it may impact a commitment to provide areas for nature and wildlife.
There are multiple changes to the development’s original proposed footprint area, but no indication of the total additional land use that these will create.
MAG will be issuing briefing notes soon on its Meridian Action Group Facebook page to help residents engage in a more informed way with the consultation and is urging all those affected to look out for that and have their say.
Meridian Action Group
