Information
Kingsway Solar Farm Proposal Details
The Kingsway Solar Farm proposal includes plans for a solar and battery storage project across significant land near Balsham, West Wratting, Weston Colville, Willingham Green, Carlton, and surrounding areas. With a projected 500 MW of electricity, this project could power about 175,000 homes and would span an unprecedented 1,500 hectares (3,706 acres) of farmland.
The proposal also outlines a 14km grid connection to the planned Burwell South substation, situated just south of the existing substation in Burwell.
What is An NSIP?
Given the significant amount of electricity production proposed in the Kingway Solar Farm, the scheme is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). If approved, large projects like this could make a significant contribution towards achieving the country’s ambitious targets for net zero, and provide greater energy security for the UK in the future.
So What is the Issue?
Kingsway Solar Farm, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), will be reviewed by an independent inspectorate, with the final decision made by the Secretary of State. This means local authorities in Cambridgeshire have no control over the outcome. It’s crucial for residents to get involved early, ask questions, and voice concerns to influence the process.
Impact of the Kingsway Development
The stage one consultation for the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal ran from 31st October to 12th December. This consultation allowed stakeholders to share input during the initial design and development phases. Information events were held in several affected villages, including Balsham and West Wratting.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. Your input will help to ensure that any final design of the solar farm prioritises community interests. See our full list of objections HERE.
Kingsway Solar Farm proposal current stage
Concerns are growing over the rapid increase in solar farm developments across the UK. The absence of a cohesive national policy leaves gaps in planning for their placement and cumulative environmental impact. This fragmented approach often overlooks how these projects integrate with other energy infrastructure. As a result, decisions can lack proper consideration of impacts on landscapes, rural communities, and biodiversity.
The UK has already lost an estimated 50% of its biodiversity, and without careful planning, projects like Kingsway Solar Farm could worsen this issue. Displacing wildlife and damaging local habitats poses a serious risk. To address these concerns, thorough Environmental Impact Assessments and detailed Habitat Management Plans are vital. Including buffer zones for homes, wildlife corridors, and community benefits, such as footpaths and cycleways, would help protect local ecology and enhance community well-being.
Further Impacts
There are serious concerns in the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal details about the use of high-quality farmland. This could impact land availability for food production, posing risks to the UK’s long-term food security. It could also affect local jobs, infrastructure, and soil quality. Questions arise over how the land will be managed and restored after the site is decommissioned. Increased traffic on rural roads and noise and light pollution during construction and operation are significant worries for residents.
Additional issues within the Kingsway Solar Farm proposal details include the safe storage of batteries, protection of water resources, and higher flood risks. Although the government prefers using lower-quality land, brownfield sites, or rooftops for renewable energy to meet net-zero goals, there is no National Framework to encourage developers to choose these options.
Why is a National Approach a Necessity?
The Kingsway Solar Farm proposal highlights that communities like ours have limited input in approving local renewable energy projects. A national approach could improve how communities participate in consultations and address the socio-economic impacts of multiple clustered projects. This would include effects on rural areas, property values, and local industries.
Incorporating a national framework into Solar Farm proposal details could also require community benefit packages and local green investment. This would ensure that all communities hosting nationally significant infrastructure are properly consulted and compensated.
Kingsway Solar Community Action
The Kingsway Solar Community Action group stands among many communities across the UK who are voicing these concerns. Our combined voices highlight the widespread desire for a national, comprehensive land-use strategy to guide sustainable energy development. This will hopefully ensure projects like Kingsway Solar are not assessed isolation.
Kingsways Solar Community Action have prepared a detailed ‘Report for Residents and Concerned Parties’ (Click here to access). This is to help residents navigate the central areas of concern associated with this proposal, and highlight questions that might be important to them to ask through the consultation process. (Summary HERE)
Join our latest campaign!
- Step into nature and protect our local environment (this month focus on brown hares)