21st April 2023: Four parish councils representing residents who live and work around the site of a proposed solar power station in Worcestershire are united in their opposition to the huge development.
Stock & Bradley Parish Council, Feckenham, Kington & Dormston and Inkberrow have this week put in their objections to the plans to build on 287 acres of countryside at Inkberrow.
A planning application was submitted to Wychavon Council last month by German-owned JBM Solar.
Local MP Rachel MacLean carried out her own survey of local residents where 94% were opposed to the plans.
Phil Coathup from the RWSF opposition group said:
“All parishes recognise that this beautiful part of the county will be lost forever if these plans get the go-ahead.
“Common themes are their concern about the miles and miles of fencing and the impact this will have on animals in the area many of which are protected and endangered species.
“The volume of traffic down narrow country lanes, some less than four metres wide, will make it so dangerous for the many leisure cyclists, walkers and horses who use this route.
“And of course, there’s the noise of the construction itself and after some parish councillors visited a solar farm under construction in Bishampton, they were left in no doubt that the repetitive sound of the pile driving was loud and debilitating for those living nearby.
“We all believe that the operational noise has been downplayed because in an urban environment where general background noise is constant, the humming would be hidden but, in this location, the only night time noise is that of wildlife.
“There are specific objections to the application from each individual parish with Feckenham for example concerned about the installation of more than 4km of cabling and whether a separate planning application is required.
“The reality is this development is far too large for this location and completely out of character with it. It will be a visual eyesore in an otherwise unspoilt rural area and we urge residents to join with us in opposing these plans.”