Key Campaign Updates
EDF Renewables in partnership with Luminous Energy have formed Springwell Energyfarm Limited and secured an 800 Mega Watt connection agreement with National Grid.
The size of the project means that an application must be made to the national planning body (the Planning Inspectorate) rather than our local District or County Councils. Ultimately the decision on the application is made at Government level by the then Secretary of State acting on a recommendation by the Planning Inspectorate.
This process takes years rather than months and we are still in the early stages, what the Planning Inspectorate terms the ‘pre-application’ stage. Full details of the process and copies of all documents in the case can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate website.
Our Aim
The Springwell Solar Farm Action Group is a collective of concerned residents formed from within and around the footprint of the Springwell Solar Farm project.
It affects at least another 10 villages within a 3 mile radius.
THE KEY ISSUES
4,200
HECTARES
7
SQUARE MILES OF FARM LAND
10 x
BIGGER THAN HYDE PARK
not at any cost… not in any place… not if it rides roughshod over the views of local communities.
As we take solar to the next level, we must be thoughtful, sensitive to public opinion, and mindful of the wider environmental and visual impacts
LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND
With an increasing demand for solar energy as the world becomes more reliant on renewable energy sources, the use of solar panels is growing. This demand is driving up the price of land that is suitable for solar farms, making it more attractive to developers.
However, large scale solar farms can have a negative impact on our countryside. The loss of productive agricultural land to solar farms is a complex issue with area number of factors that contribute to this loss, and there are a number of negative consequences as a result. It is important to consider all of these factors when making decisions about the development of solar farms.
One of the consequence is that it can lead to higher food prices. When less land is available for agriculture, the supply of food is reduced, which can lead to higher prices.
VISUAL IMPACT
This is an area of the outstanding natural beauty.
In addition to the 3.3m high solar panels across 4,200 hectares (the equivallent of 2800 football pitches) of agricultural land there will be inverters and transformers dotted across the site in large unsightly containers emitting significant and constant noise as well as fencing at a minimum height of 2.5 metres up to 3m high, with CCTV up to 5 metres high also lighting.
Many of the so-called screening enhancements will take decades to provide a decent level of screening.
Cultural Heritage
There are a significant number of Listed Heritage sites across the planned site. These sites will all have their outlooks spoilt by the development.
Public Rights of Way
Extensive network of Public Rights of Way. These have been in place for many years and were originally scoped by MR Eric Parker, these included 4 promoted walks. These walks will be fundamentally changed and spoilt. At a time when we are focussed so much on people’s mental wellbeing this will have a significant detrimental impact.
HABITAT LOSS AND DISRUPTION
Red Kites are protected by Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. The protecion of Red Kite is the longest continuous Conservation project in the World. There are several nestiing in and around Scopwick house.
FLOOD RISK
There is already increased risk of flooding in the Scopwick area. The document 5.9.23 references Cook & McQueen (2013) when discussing runoff and potential impacts on flooding. This was a modelled classroom study on a tiny scale. The potential change to drainage on a site this large could be significant.
PERMANENT DAMAGE
These areas are going to be covered in concrete to create hard standing platforms. This along with piling to create footings for the panels this land will never be used again for farming. Where does the significant amount of concrete required to convert this farmland into an industrial site meet any green credentials?
- Concrete pillars for the panels
- Concrete under Independent Outdoor Equipment
- Concrete under inverters & Transporter Stations
- Concrete in Collection Compounds
- Concrete in Substations Compounds
- Concrete in Battery Storage Areas
- Concrete in National Grid Substation Areas
- Concrete in Transmission Tower