Rutland Solar Action Group has launched a website, petition and fundraising campaign to stop the development of an 80-hectare (200-acre) solar farm on agricultural land between Pilton and Morcott.
The group was formed by concerned residents after plans for Staveley Solar Farm were unveiled by developers Anglian Water and Bluestone Energy in January.
Staveley Solar Farm is one of four large-scale solar farm proposals for Rutland (Mallard Pass, Staveley Solar Farm, Exton Solar Farm and Langham) and Rutland Solar Action Group is concerned that the county could be swamped by industrial solar developments.
Douglas Reid, Director of Rutland Solar Action Group Ltd, said: “We are in favour of renewable energy, but not the mass industrialisation of Rutland’s farmland.
“If all four developments in Rutland were approved, including Mallard Pass, Staveley Solar Farm and Exton Solar Farm, industrial solar could cover up to 3% of the county – nearly ten times the 0.3% national target set by government to meet net zero climate goals.
“Solar panels should go on roofs, over car parks and along motorways, not farmland. We already face critical issues of food security and nature decline. Industrialising the countryside is not the solution. Put simply, Staveley Solar Farm is unsustainable.”
Energy generated by the proposed Staveley Solar Farm would almost exclusively supply Anglian Water, not local homes.
In March, Rutland Solar Action Group made a formal complaint to Rutland County Council over its handling of the proposed development and its failure to demand an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The group is raising funds to engage professional planning and legal representation and is urging supporters to donate between £20 and £50 either direct (details on website) or via the GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/924c6edc
On July 12, 2023, the Environment Agency published its Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) report for water and sewerage companies in England for 2022. Anglian Water was rated 2-star, meaning the ‘company requires improvement’ and given ‘amber’ status meaning it is ‘below target’.
Rutland Solar Action Group believes Rutland County Council was wrong to agree with Anglian Water and Bluestone Energy that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not required for Staveley Solar Farm. The group is demanding a full EIA is undertaken
Douglas Reid added, “We would encourage all Rutland residents to learn more on our website and sign the petition if they feel a clear strategy, greater regulation and joined-up thinking from national and local government is required for renewable energy.”
Website & newsletter sign-up: https://www.rutlandsolaractiongroup.org/
Petition: https://chng.it/K5GgVJHXDY
Donate: https://gofund.me/924c6edc
댓글