Residents raise concerns about plans for solar farm near Stamford
They are worried about what visual and environmental impacts the proposals could have
Last updated 9th Nov 2021
Residents have raised concerns about plans for a large scale solar development near Stamford.
The Mallard Pass proposal, which is being brought forward by Mallard Pass Solar Farm Limited, a joint venture between Windel Energy and Canadian Solar, would see more than 2,000 acres of land in South Kesteven and into Rutland utilised for solar power generation.
Last week, Lincolnshire County councillors said the area was being seen as an easy target for these types of developments.
Keith Busfield, who lives immediately opposite where the proposed solar farm would be, told Greatest Hits Radio:
"It is absurd.
"It is frankly totally absurd.
"The impact upon our personal lives, well issues surrounding mental health, issues surrounding our enjoyment of living here.
"We live in the country because we enjoy the country and that's why we live here.
"We need informed debate about are these solar farms are good or bad.
"Or perhaps having solar panels on individual residential properties is the way forward.
"Putting it up on commercial buildings, brilliant!
"But having fields and fields of solar panels instead of our green and pleasant land, that's absurd."
Meanwhile Sue Holloway, who also lives near the proposed site, said she is worried about the environmental impact on wildlife:
"It's such a big swathe of land that the wildlife will have to be rehomed.
"They'll have to go elsewhere or they'll lose their feeding sources because they won't be able to access the solar farms because they'll be fenced."
She also told Greatest Hits Radio about what she wants the next stages to be:
"To get all sorts of different groups involved in the discussion to understand, what's the impact from an environmental, from flooding, from traffic, from every aspect of it to really understand what's positive, what's negative.
"Understandably there are positives, but I think it's about getting the balance right."
Mallard Pass Solar Farm is running a hybrid consultation on the plans, with Q&A webinars and three in-person drop-in sessions:
-Tuesday, 23 November, from 2pm to 6pm at Ryhall Village Hall, Church St, Ryhall, Stamford
-Wednesday, 24 November, from 10am to 3pm at Stamford Town Hall, St Mary’s Hill, Stamford
-Thursday, 25 November, from 2pm to 8pm at Essendine Village Hall, Bourne Rd, Essendine, Stamford
-Wednesday, 17 November, Community Webinar 1 – 10am to 12pm
-Thursday, 2 December, Community Webinar 2 – 6pm to 8pm
Gary Toomey, managing director of Windel Energy said:
"With this week being the start of COP26, we’re as aware as ever that we need to urgently decarbonize our electricity system.
"We want to do this whilst delivering reliable and sustainable energy, enhancing the local environment and being a responsible neighbour.
"At a time when gas prices are at an all-time high due to our reliance on imported energy, it is our ambition to create low-cost energy that is kind to the local environment and delivers for the planet.
"We recognise the need to deliver these projects sensitively.
"We want to talk with local communities to understand their views and listen to their ideas.
"Feedback received during this Stage One consultation will help us to develop our proposals more thoroughly, and we want to hear from as many members of the community as possible.
"Our project website, virtual exhibition and contact channels are now live, and we will be coming to the community to host three local consultation events.
"I would encourage anyone with an interest in these projects to get in touch and take part in our upcoming consultation."
People are being encouraged to have their say on the plans.
Lincolnshire County Council expects to formally consider the proposals in the Spring 2022.