Villagers are displeased over plans for a large solar panel farm on their doorstep, but say "it's better than houses." Plans for a new 60.94 hectare solar farm at land off Gotham Road, Kingston on Soar, south of Ratcliff on Soar, were submitted earlier this year.
If plans are approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council, the solar farm could produce 49.9 megawatts annually, which is enough to power 14,000 homes. The application is requesting approval for the construction, operation and decommissioning of a solar photovoltaic farm and associated infrastructure, including inverters, substation compound, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping.
The site is currently being used as agricultural land and if plans are approved the applicant hopes to operate the solar farm on the site for 40 years. Residents located next to the potential site have concerns about the possibility of a solar farm on their doorstep, but many feel the land will eventually be used for something and the farm would be better than housing.
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When asked his thoughts on the proposal, Kingston on Soar resident Douglas Hutchinson, 63, said: "My wife likes to walk across the fields there.
"I like it how it is now, but it's better than houses. The other year it was all flooded and almost got to the bottom of down there and near the end of my garden."
Mental health coach, Danella Taylor, 34, also has concerns over the site, saying she thinks "it would be an eyesore and a disruption to this peaceful village." She said: I enjoy walking there and enjoy seeing all the nature.
"One of the reasons people come to an area like this is because they want to be in an area that's tranquil and peaceful. It would be quite sad to see something like that so close to a residential area.
"If they could try to do those things in an area without people living around and then it would not take away from a beautiful area like this." Retired resident, Doug Williams, 74, described the plans as a "complete disgrace."
He said: "We’ve got first-class farm land here and if they are taking farm land out to provide energy then it’s a sad reflection of the way society is going. From the local authority’s point of view, it might be difficult as the government is saying it wants more solar."
Doug explained that whilst he does "think solar is a good thing" it is not a good thing for the area, and is more of a "financial opportunity" for the landowners.
When asked his thoughts on the possible solar farm, David Fairbanks, 56, of Kingston upon Soar, said: “Generally we recognise that there is a real need for green energy but we do seem to have a plethora of applications and potential applications around this area that are going to take up prime agricultural land. So I think they need a rethink about the master plan.
"There are a lot of unknowns that cause uncertainty for the area and really this is an area of beautiful landscapes and we are in danger of bringing this infrastructure and industrialisation here all the way from Nottingham towards Clifton and the motorway."
A 45 year old engineer who lives in the village says he would prefer the land remained how it was. He said: "I want it to stay as farm land. There is another one (solar farm) at the top of Kegworth, I drive through it and think to myself that this is basically going to be like the one in view from the back of my house.
"For me personally, it changes the view at the back and we can't walk across the fields anymore because it will be full of solar panels."
If plans are approved, the solar farm will be developed by Renewable Connections. John Leith, development director at Renewable Connections, said: "We have submitted a planning application for the installation, operation, and subsequent decommissioning of a solar energy farm of up to 49.9 megawatts (MW) on land at Church Farm, Gotham Road, Kingston on Soar.
"If consented the solar farm could generate enough clean energy for up 14,000 homes annually. The solar farm would also result in an exceptionally high 93 % Biodiversity Net Gain for the site, due to the introduction of species-rich grassland, native hedgerows, wildflower margins and bird and bat boxes."
"The project has been carefully designed with respect to local issues, following community and stakeholder engagement and extensive discussions with Rushcliffe Borough Council. In fact, through comprehensive engagement with local stakeholders throughout the submission process, a number of improvements to the scheme have been made and consequently, there are no objections from technical consultees."
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