‘THIS ISN’T A GOOD USE OF FARMLAND’
Villagers launch fight to stop huge ‘eyesore’ solar farm
A SOLAR farm the size of 140 football pitches has been proposed for a North Staffordshire village.
The 141-acre site is in Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks, and the proposed scheme does not require the consent of the Government.
But opponents have labelled the proposed solar farm an ‘eyesore’ after plans were lodged with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
The applicant – Rownall Farm Solar Limited – states: “The proposed scheme would provide a significant amount of decentralised electricity to the area and support the transition to electric vehicles and heating.
“It would also help to reduce the UK’S reliance on imported fossil fuels and help the UK gain more control over its energy provision and energy security, helping to stabilise domestic fuel bills.”
Objector Julia Podmore, of Rownall Solar Farm Action Group said: “It’s going to be an eyesore, it’s on a hill, it’s going to be huge.
“You don’t have to research much about solar panel farms to know that this isn’t what you should be doing with them. This is not a good use of farmland, this is good farmland and we have as much of a food crisis as we do an energy crisis. In addition to that they are very noisy and I have horses opposite this proposed solar panel farm.
“So this is a huge worry for me as to what I’m going to do with them because they’re not going to be able to stay there with the noise.”
The fields are currently being used to grow winter wheat.
Ian Podmore, who has lived in Rownall, for 42 years, said: “We are not NIMBYS because we do believe in sustainable energy but it makes you wonder why it is happening in the greenbelt.”
The council is consulting on the proposal until March 1. Planning committee members are expected to make a decision on March 28.