Great North Road Solar Farm developer Elements Green responds to resident concerns about large-scale project plans for Newark and Sherwood
Elements Green, the developer of the Great North Road Solar Park, have responded to concerns from residents living in the communities most affected by the project plans.
Under the proposals, which are currently going through a public consultation process, dozens of rural villages would become neighbours to around 1.5m solar panels.
Residents have expressed concerns about the plans, including the impact of the construction process and the number of heavy goods vehicles, the loss of agricultural lands and the selections of sites.
In a statement from Elements Green, the company has attempted to provide reassurance, going as far as to suggest that improvements to the area would be made along the way, such as by improving roads and the quality of farmland.
The statement reads: “A number of options for HGV routes are being assessed and the most suitable will be selected to ensure safe delivery.
“There will be a comprehensive Construction Traffic Management Plan developed through consultation with the local highways authority with inputs from residents and other interested parties.
“This will ensure suitable measures in place to protect the public.
“Measures could include scheduled working hours and deliveries, traffic management and dust control.
“We encourage local residents to provide their feedback through the consultation events.
“Elements Green are likely to need to reinforce road surfaces which we do understand are in poor condition in some areas.
“This will benefit all road users once the construction period is complete.”
Addressing concerns about the loss of agricultural land, they say: “DEFRA is clear that climate change is the greatest threat to UK food security.
“The agricultural land will not be lost. The panels will be mounted on poles which would retain the land for grazing or convert it to grassland habitat.
“This will enable the land to remain fallow for a number of years. At the end of the operational life of the solar park the land can be returned to agricultural use.
“A soil management plant will ensure that the soil structure is maintained, if not enhanced during the life of the project.
One recurring question asked by residents is regarding site selection.
In response the developer said: “ Each field has been carefully selected factoring in local topography, landscape and nearby uses.
“The porous nature of the proposed design means solar area is surrounded by open countryside. In the proposed design there are 26 homes within 50m of the proposed solar areas.
“The layout will be further refined following feedback from statutory consultees and the public.
“There are opportunities for people to shape the design and raise their concerns through consultation.
“We therefore encourage all interested members of the public to attend our community consultation events where they will be able to view large maps of the proposals and engage with us directly.”
A number of information events will be held around the district during the public consultation, which runs until February 23.
Six in-person information events will take place at: Eakring Cator Hall, on January 30, from 12pm to 6pm; Laxton Village Hall, on January 31, from 2pm to 6pm; Newark Town Hall, on February 1, from 12pm to 6pm; Cartlton-on-Trent Village Hall, February 8, from 2pm to 6pm; Maplebeck Village Hall, on February 9, from 2pm to 8pm; and at Kelham House, Kelham, on February 10, from 12pm to 5pm.
For those not able to attend an in-person event, two online webinars will take place on Monday, January 29, from 5:30pm to 7pm, and Monday, February 5, from 5:30pm to 7pm.