Don’t miss what may be one of the last chances to say how you feel about developers hoping to build a massive solar farm on the doorstep of thousands of South Holland residents.
You only have until July 2 to register to have your say on the Meridian Solar proposal.
The Planning Inspectorate has accepted an application for an order to grant development consent and has now opened the period for registering, and only those who register will have their views listened to.
Your registration must include what you consider to be the main issues and impacts. You should include as much detail as possible and cover anything that may affect your day-to-day life.
This information will be seen by the examining authority and be published on its website and you will be able to submit further comments during the examination of the application once you have registered.
Full details of how to register can be found at https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010169/register/register-have-your-say
Meridian Solar will cover 1,100-plus hectares of prime land (2,718 acres or 1,812 football pitches) and impact Gedney Hill, Fleet, Holbeach Drove, Whaplode Drove, Shepeau Stow and Crowland. The associated pylon route impacts Cowbit, Weston Hills, Weston, Moulton Chapel and Moulton.
Meridian Action Group has registered, pointing out that it does not oppose the principle of solar energy but believes that rooftop solar should be maximised in preference to prime agricultural land being used for solar panels with associated infrastructure connected by pylons to a proposed sub-station some 12km distant.
In its registration to the Planning Directorate it says it opposes the Meridian Solar scheme due to its scale, location on prime agricultural land, impact on food security and the impact on the local community. It has also stressed that the road infrastructure is totally unsuited to the increase in construction vehicles and the numbers of construction staff required.
Rooftop solar on public buildings, factories and warehouses, car parks and residential developments are significantly under-utilised and present an alternative to the mass expansion of solar farms with the threat of industrialisation to the countryside and rural communities.
MAG is encouraging all residents to take a look at the Meridian Solar proposals. There are still those who are shocked to discover that they will be impacted.
Meridian Action Group (MAG)
