Reasons to Object

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The very large size of the proposed development is totally inappropriate. It will be one of the largest in the nation. The visual impact of such a huge industrial solar farm would fundamentally change the tranquil character of the area. We consider solar farms should be appropriately located on already industrialised land, on roof tops or adjacent to motorways, not on productive agricultural land.  

There is no local energy benefit. The electricity produced will feed directly into the National Grid: the beneficiaries could be in Nottingham or Grimsby, not Norton or Grittleton.

The area will undergo disruption, noise, and traffic during construction, and a permanent loss of countryside and heritage once completed. It is already shown to have reduced house values in the area. 

Tourism is a vital part of the local economy, supporting countless businesses, jobs, and livelihoods. The first sight many visitors will encounter when entering the area from the south will be an ocean of solar panels, stretching across miles of countryside visible from the Cotswold AONB. This industrialisation threatens to undermine the region’s reputation as a place of natural beauty, harming local businesses and the wider economy.

The loss of permeable farmland will increase flood risks to nearby villages, while chemicals and leaks from infrastructure threaten to contaminate drinking water supplies.

The Battery Energy Storage System introduces the danger of toxic gas emissions and fires, which are notoriously difficult to extinguish.
Such incidents have already caused multiday evacuations elsewhere.

The construction stage will last up to two years and will bring more than 20,000 articulated lorries, HGVs and vans transporting materials to site creating noise and pollution, and endangering pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.  Additionally, a 25+ mile trench stretching from Sherston to Melksham will be incredibly disruptive for all around. 

The Cotswolds is one of the UK’s most treasured landscapes, drawing visitors from around the world. Towering panels, industrial structures, and fencing will destroy unspoiled countryside views, replacing them with an industrial wasteland.

The UK currently relies on imports for approximately 46% of its food, making us the world’s third-largest importer of food. Arable land in the UK is declining. The farmland planned for development is 30% Best quality farm land (BMV).  Losing such land will worsen our reliance on imports at a time when resilience is critical.

This development poses significant risks to our community for two generations, over a period of 60 years, until 2090.

Currently, there is no enforceable mechanism to ensure the developers remove the solar panels and infrastructure at the end of the project’s life. This raises serious concerns about who will bear the cost of decommissioning and restoring the land –potentially leaving the burden on local communities or taxpayers.

Historic sites including the Fosse Way and Wessex Way, and footpaths
and bridleways used and loved by pedestrians, riders and cyclists, will be overshadowed by this industrial sprawl, risking irreparable damage to ancient landscapes and archaeological treasures.

Wildlife habitats will be destroyed, and shading under the panels will degrade vegetation, impacting grazing and local ecosystems.