I am shocked by the scale of the proposal to build a huge solar farm at Cleve Hill, covering Graveney marshes with panels. I am keen to see more of our energy coming from renewable sources, and I welcome clean, cheap, unsubsidised energy.
But I’m concerned about how a solar farm the size of 400 football pitches will affect wildlife on the salt marshes.
I also worry it will ruin this part of the countryside for walkers and cyclists. At the moment it’s a wonderful route to walk or cycle, passing along the coastal road and through the flat marshes, with occasional sheep and cattle dotted around and sea birds wheeling overhead. There’s a strange beauty in the openness and sense of desolation in the marshes.
The language in the developer’s proposal about ‘keeping the lights on’ is completely alarmist, when actually electricity demand has been falling steadily, and is now 18% lower than its peak in 2005.
I will be attending consultation events, and keen I’m hear from residents, so please do get in touch with me.