Reasons To Object
Kingsway Solar Farm - Reasons to Object
Agricultural and land use concerns
Putting a large-scale solar farm on high-quality agricultural land affects food security and rural economies. Solar development also degrades the land, making it less suitable for future farming and increasing the risk of it being reclassified as brownfield for housing development. Therefore, we need clear land restoration plans to safeguard agricultural land and prevent unintended reclassification.
Environmental impact and biodiversity
This gigantic Kingsway solar farm will change our local ecosystems, biodiversity, and Cambridgeshire agricultural land. It will disrupt habitats for wildlife including protected species like hares and skylarks. Six-foot security fencing will restrict movement of larger mammals. There have been few studies on the impacts on biodiversity of a solar farm this big. There must be a comprehensive ecological assessment, along with long-term monitoring and habitat management plans, to protect local wildlife corridors.
Community consultation and engagement
Kingsway Solar Community Action want effective community consultation to ensure transparency and align projects with local priorities. We don’t want superficial consultations, conducted only to fulfil legal requirements. We are asking Kingsway Solar to prioritise community input and listen to our concerns.
Kingsway solar farm - proximity to residential areas
An industrial solar farm should not be sited close to residential areas. The significant landscape alterations, noise pollution from battery energy storage systems (BESS) construction disruptions, and potential impacts on property values, will affect rural character and our quality of life.
Flood risk and water management
Large-scale solar farms can alter drainage patterns and increase flood risk due to increased surface runoff, damaging water flow and local drainage systems. The Cambridge area’s reliance on the chalk aquifer means careful consideration of water absorption and protection against contamination. It’s essential that proper design and effective mitigation measures are implemented into Kingway solar farm to safeguard water resources.
Kingsway solar alternative site considerations
The proposed Cambridgeshire Kingsway solar farm is part of a broader trend in East Anglia. Such large-scale projects are untried and untested in the UK. Smaller solar farms have a proven track record, but a farm as large as Kingsway has never been built here. We believe a coordinated national strategy would ensure responsible solar development, on smaller more strategic sites, which will reduce the negative impacts on local communities.
Long-term viability and maintenance
Ongoing maintenance and management of the Kingsway solar farm will lead to increased traffic in the area. This will impact our country roads, particularly narrow and single-track lanes. The necessary road improvements will inevitably change the nature of our landscape. A comprehensive plan for biodiversity management and monitoring is also crucial to minimise the project’s environmental impact.
Economic and regional impact
While large-scale solar projects may create jobs during the construction period, these opportunities will be time limited, and will have an adverse affect on long-term agricultural employment and property values. The future use of the land after decommissioning remains uncertain, so the long-term impact on the local Cambridgeshire economy and community is unknown. We need a balanced approach to maximise economic gains while minimising negative effects on local communities.
Loss of amenity - kingsway solar farm
The Kingsway solar farm will alter the visual character of the landscape, which will diminish our enjoyment of the area. There will be an impact on local footpaths which are protected by law and are essential for recreation and well-being. The development could obstruct or divert these paths, limiting access to open spaces and negatively impacting the community’s health. It is crucial to carefully manage changes to these paths and preserve the visual character of the landscape to ensure the ongoing well-being of the community.
Disruption during construction
The construction of the Kingsway solar farm will involve significant traffic and noise disruption for local communities. Heavy construction vehicles will increase traffic on local roads, potentially causing congestion and road damage. Noise and light pollution will also impact residents’ quality of life. Additionally, the construction phase could disrupt wildlife habitats, affecting sensitive species. These factors raise concerns about the project’s impact on the local environment and community well-being.
Battery storage and technical infrastructure
While the battery storage system (BESS) at Kingsway Solar aims to improve grid stability and energy use, concerns exist regarding its safety. Lithium-ion batteries pose a fire risk, with potential for hazardous chemical contamination during firefighting. Additionally, the project’s inverters, transformers, and security lighting raise concerns about noise pollution and light pollution impacting nearby residents and wildlife. A comprehensive safety plan addressing these issues and mitigation strategies for noise and light pollution are crucial. See our blog post here for more details.
Kingsway Solar Farm Mitigations
This solar farm project presents considerable risks to the local environment and our communities. To minimise these impacts, the project must adopt comprehensive measures to address visual intrusion, noise, light pollution, and potential damage to wildlife habitats. It is crucial that the development respects community interests and prioritises the preservation of the local landscape and residents’ quality of life. If the Kingsway solar farm does go ahead, it is key for effective mitigation strategies to be implemented to ensure there is some positive contribution to the community.
Benefits to community
If the Kingsway solar farm project goes ahead, it will have long-term adverse impacts on the local community. In these circumstances it is crucial that the project benefits the community now and for generations to come. While one-time contributions to the parish council are common, we believe a more sustainable approach would involve an ongoing, community-managed fund tied to the project’s income. This would ensure that future generations benefit and that the fund is used for projects that genuinely address local needs. The project must also include measures to mitigate flooding risks, improve local infrastructure, and enhance public access to the surrounding Cambridgeshire landscape.