I recently held three very productive virtual open meetings with residents from Isleham, Chippenham and Snailwell to discuss the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm. I am grateful for the help of the Parish Councils from each of the villages for their help in arranging the meeting and ensuring residents were aware of the meeting.
The Energy Farm is proposed to be located across East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk, and is in close proximity to the villages of Isleham, Kennett, Chippenham, Snailwell, Worlington and Freckenham. The proposed cable route connects to the National Grid at Burwell.
Sunnica are currently running a non-statutory consultation, which runs until Wednesday 2nd December and I would encourage all constituents with an interest in the proposals to submit a response.
During these meetings, residents raised concerns with me about the potential damage the solar plant will have on the local environment, wildlife, the use of agricultural land and – particularly during construction – the impact on the lives of people living in close proximity to the site. I will be reflecting carefully on these concerns as well as other points raised to determine the approach that I will take to this proposal. I am supportive of renewable energy and Solar, however, with the site being across nearly 2,800 acres, I understand concerns residents have about the size of the project, which would be far bigger than any other solar farm in the UK.
