Kingsway Solar Farm Plans: Community Consultation and Environmental Concerns in Cambridgeshire
- Kingsway Solar has proposed a new solar farm that will cover 3,700 acres (1,500 hectares) of farmland in south Cambridgeshire.
- Kingsway Solar will hold consultation events in West Wratting and Great Wilbraham, with an online session on December 2.
- The main objective of the consultations is to gather local insights and address any concerns regarding the solar farm.
Plans for New Solar Farm in Cambridgeshire
Kingsway Solar has proposed a new solar farm that will cover 3,700 acres (1,500 hectares) of farmland in south Cambridgeshire. The project includes building 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) of overhead power lines. Local residents can participate in consultations to share their opinions on the project this month.
Consultation Schedule and Goals
Kingsway Solar will hold consultation events in West Wratting and Great Wilbraham, with an online session on December 2. David Vernon, the project lead, stated that they will consider community feedback and ongoing environmental studies to shape the proposal.
The main objective of the consultations is to gather local insights and address any concerns regarding the solar farm.
Project Scale and Energy Generation
The proposed solar farm aims to generate 500 megawatts annually, enough to power 175,000 homes. Vernon emphasized the importance of taking advantage of such significant solar project opportunities in the area, which can help meet national energy needs.
Environmental and Local Impact
Local communities around West Wratting, Willingham Green, Weston Colville, and Balsham might face changes due to the solar farm. Residents worry about the impact on agricultural land and existing footpaths. Mike Davey, a local, expressed concerns about biodiversity and agricultural use of the land being affected. Holly Venn, a coffee shop owner, suggested using rooftops or non-public paths for solar installations instead.
The public consultation is open until midnight on December 12, followed by a statutory consultation in early 2024.
Final Decision Authority
Because of the project’s scale, the final decision lies with Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, rather than local authorities. Earlier this year, the government approved a different solar project called Sunnica near the same area, which will also connect to the Burwell substation.
Vernon noted they will assess the local impact of both projects in their evaluation.