CONCERNED residents who have vowed to battle plans which could see a huge solar farm operate on a giant swathe of land for the next 40 years rushed to a public meeting to lodge their objections to the ‘damaging’ scheme yesterday.
The sprawling site which separates Grimethorpe and Cudworth - put forward by clean energy solutions company Enviromena - comprises three land parcels the size of more than 130 football pitches.
Bosses from the firm said it could provide power for up to 25,000 homes per year, helping to achieve Barnsley Council’s ambitions to reduce CO2 in response to its previously-declared ‘climate emergency’.
A drop-in session took place at St Luke’s Church in the village, which saw locals turn up to voice their issues.
The Chronicle understands a planning application - formed from residents’ feedback from several consultation sessions - is in the offing and being primed for submission to the council after its reduced footprint was confirmed by Enviromena bosses.
Campaigner Linda Noble said: “The community’s objections are well-known.
“We understand Enviromena have issued additional information showing a map of a reduced area, just under 20 per cent lower than their original proposal.
“The original proposed site was 217 acres, equivalent to 164 football pitches.
“With a 20 per cent reduction, that still covers an area of 173 acres, or about 130 football pitches.
“It’s still way too large and so close to residential properties.
“Our concerns are largely the same as they were as when the first public drop-in took place last April.
“When you look at other solar farms of this size across the UK, there are none which are sited on green belt land, or as close to residential properties - in Cudworth the panels will be 50 yards from residential properties at the bottom of Belle Green Lane.
“Our town’s green spaces are being destroyed.
“We will be pressing our local councillors for a public meeting as soon as the planning application is submitted as we have no doubt now that it will be lodged.”
At the end of its 40-year operational life, the equipment will be removed - and recycled - with the entire site then restored to its original form, mock-ups suggested.
Elsie Smith, from Grimethorpe Residents’ Group, added: “It’s such a big site - it’s also so close to homes and Outwood Academy Shafton, which is where the solar farm’s entrance appears to neighbour.
“The area has a huge history with mining and those sites have been reclaimed for residents to enjoy.
“Creating a solar farm on fields which separate three villages is something people don’t want and I think it should be left alone.”
Coun Ashley Peace, who represents the North East ward and sits on the council’s planning board, told the Chronicle he will put forward residents’ views when the application is discussed.
“It’s something that hasn’t yet been lodged but I can assure locals who are concerned about this that their views will be heard before the planning board when the time comes,” he said.
Bosses from the firm yesterday confirmed Enviromena’s ‘preparing to submit’ the planning application to Barnsley Council.
Lee Adams, chief commercial officer at Enviromena, added: “We are looking forward to sharing the improved plans for our 49.9MW solar project that will create enough clean power to approximately 25,000 homes per annum.
“We have made some revisions based on feedback from the public, including removal of solar modules in the most visually sensitive areas and a reduction in the number of solar modules proposed by over ten per cent.
“We will be increasing planting and landscaping at the site that will improve screening and achieve an increased biodiversity net gain, as well as introduce new public greenspace.
“We’re keen to engage with local communities and we welcome views from the public about the improved plans.”
