Public voice concerns over Mallard Pass in Q&A hosted by Rutland and Melton MP
The Solar Farm's developers were meant to be there but had to 'postpone'
Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns hosted a Q&A at Essendine Village Hall on Thursday evening (7th April) on the proposed Mallard Pass solar farm.
Local residents were invited to raise their queries and concerns over the build, planned on being constructed over parts of South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, and Rutland.
But developers behind the project said they had to "postpone participation in the public meeting".
Chair of Mallard Pass Action Group, Sue Holloway, said:
"The meeting went ahead despite the developer Mallard Pass pulling out just one week from the scheduled date. Mallard Pass said they had nothing new to say, but residents are not satisfied their questions and concerns have been addressed properly.
"A wide cross-section of topics was discussed ranging from lithium-iron battery storage safety, to working out the real carbon footprint, solar panel inefficiencies, loss of agricultural land, biodiversity...
"The residents are determined to have their voice heard. They're not against solar, but believe it should be placed on rooftop and brownfield sites... something the Government have just endorsed yesterday, on their new energy statement.
In part of a larger statement, Mallard Pass Solar Farm said:
"The Mallard Pass Solar Farm project team is committed to engaging honestly and transparently during the development process. This is why, instinctively, the team agreed in principle to attend the proposed meeting.
"The acceptance to attend a public meeting still stands. The team has simply indicated that the timing be different to allow for technical work to be concluded. The project team do not wish to provoke frustration by attending the meeting on the 07 April and not being able to answer questions that can only be answered once more detailed technical work has been completed."