Solar Plant Planning Proposal

* The devastating visual impact & harm caused to the beautiful open moorlands landscape

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The proposed solar plant is at an elevated position of approximately a 100m fall from top to bottom. It will be impossible to screen, therefore ruining an unspoilt open grassland landscape of outstanding natural beauty that is clearly viable from as far away as the Wrekin in Shropshire and the Welsh mountains. A more inappropriate place for a solar plant is hard to imagine. 

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​*The serious risk of irreversible poisoning of our clean drinking water

Severn Trent Water is extracting groundwater from an aquifer (permeable rock that collects this water) located below the proposed solar panels. This is pumped via Windy Arbour to the reservoir at Cauldon Lowe (Hemingslow) for our consumption. Components within the solar panels (potentially including Forever Chemicals that are impossible to remove) not only break down in time but will also have a constant run off from rain together with the regular cleaning process, the subsequent potential of pollutants which have been linked to a wide range of illnesses, some being serious being absorbed into the ground to drain into the aquifer water.

Due to the steeply slopping ground at the Northern side of Cotton Valley any excess water that is not collected, will also create the serious risk of contamination to water that will flow into Cotton Brook which then runs into the Cotton Dell Nature Reserve, Bath Pasture (An area of Special Scientific Interest, SSI) & the River Churnet.

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​*Solar electricity is stored in lithium ion batteries

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The solar panel energy is stored in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that are known to ignite causing horrendous fires which are notoriously difficult to extinguish. These fires are extremely serious as they not only can endanger life but release toxic gases from the batteries to cause widespread environmental contamination. Together with this the fire fighting foam which contains Forever Chemicals will soak into the ground with further risk of contamination to our drinking water with the resulting pollution that can last indefinitely.

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* Reports of serious impacts on the physical & mental health of nearby residents         

 

It is widely recognised that the countryside has a positive impact on people’s mental & physical health. The scale of the proposed solar plant, its exposed location & the fact that numerous homes will either border the site or have clear views of it will have a negative impact on the wellbeing & long-term health of residents in the surrounding area.​

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*Local environmental impact                                                        

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Solar plants require inverters to convert DC electricity which is what the solar panels generate, to AC electricity which the electrical grid stores for our use. Inverters produce a humming noise, as do the cooling fans required to keep them cool.

Solar panels also produce unnatural ‘glint & glare’ where sunlight reflects off the surface of panels.

As the proposed solar plant will be situated in an elevated, exposed & peaceful location the noise from the inverters & cooling fans will be heard through the valley as well as the extreme visibility of the bright solar panels for miles around.

 

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*Severe threat to heritage assets            

                                     

Underneath the proposed site lies the visible & documented remains of a unique early railway system of world importance which was built between 1776 & 1849 & forms an important part of the industrial heritage of the Churnet Valley (for further information visit "Preservation and Conservation of Cauldon Lowe Tramroads" on Facebook)

The proposed solar plant is to be installed above these remains & together with the major ground work needed for its construction could result in damage or even destroy this railway system, with its history lost forever.

 

*Profound impact on ecology & local wildlife                                                                                            

Solar plants are not environmentally friendly due to permanent shade under them together with rainwater run-off & cleaning materials resulting in soil contamination. The ground will suffer permanent change.

Valuable open grassland is not only important for food production but also has an abundance of  wildlife, some of which are a thriving protected species.

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*Impact on public footpaths 

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Five public rights of way will be directly impacted by the development which will be surrounded by (3m/10ft) high security fencing for safety & protection together with CCTV cameras.

Numerous other footpaths will be within sight of the solar plant, deterring ramblers & ruining what is a currently beautiful countryside with walking routes into & out of Cotton Dell & the Churnet Valley.

 

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*Such an industrialised development is highly visible to dominate the Churnet Valley

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This area has successfully developed tourism in recent years, with a large number of attractive walking routes bringing visitors & providing much needed support to the local economy.

The solar plant will be located within the SMDC Churnet Valley Masterplan Boundary & is close to the Cotton Dell Nature Reserve. This Masterplan sets out to achieve an Area of Outstanding Beauty status & the new designation of National Landscape. This vision to protect the unique character & natural beauty of this landscape will be something the proposed solar plant will plainly not achieve.

 

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*Lack of efficiency

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Solar is one of the least efficient sources of renewable energy, typically converting just 10-15% of sunlight into usable electricity.

The site is also located in an elevated position which is notorious for mist & fog & wholly unsuitable for large scale solar power generation.

 

*Real concern that this will set a precedent for similar developments in the local area

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A real risk for neighbouring farmland to become targets for further solar development with vast clusters of solar panels surrounding us & our countryside (this is for your information as it is not a valid planning reason for objection).