By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents are divided over plans for one of Britain’s biggest solar farms, with some saying it wouldn’t impact village life and others labelling it a ‘white whale’.
The Great North Road Solar Park would put panels on 1,600 hectares of land north-west of Newark – the equivalent of around 3,000 football pitches.
Just 16 per cent of the 275 locals who responded in a recent consultation backed it, according to figures which were released last week.
A quarter said they could support it with changes, while 54 per cent were set against it.
Elements Green, the developer behind the solar farm, says it would power around 400,000 homes and prevent the release of around 250,000 tonnes of CO2.
Plans promise to carefully hide panels behind hedges, with 50,000 new trees planted, and to increase biodiversity.
The Great North Road project has stirred opposition in Kelham, one of the villages whose nearby countryside would be taken up by panels.
Resident Dave Green said: “We’re not trying to be NIMBYs” – people who say ‘Not In My Backyard’ to local developments.
“But it’s not great for the wildlife and the general environment. It will fundamentally change the view as we’re driving around or walking a dog. None of the village is happy about it.”
A woman who lives close to proposed panels said: “Climate change can’t be stopped with just solar farms – why is the UK spearheading this to our detriment when America and China are still polluting on a huge scale?
“We could be spending this money cleaning up the oceans where we can have a real impact. It’s going to end up as a white elephant. It’s a bit of a waste of time.”
Others were more sympathetic to the development, with one woman saying: “They’ve got to go somewhere.
“I’m slightly concerned about the traffic – these things will need repairing and maintaining for a long time. I’m lucky as it won’t ruin my views, but I sympathise for those it will.
“I still think farmland should be farmland.”
A man whose horses graze on the fields in question said: “The panels won’t actually affect anything. Our horses are on the land, and they can keep doing that when the panels are there.”
Another resident said almost in the whole village was unhappy about the scheme.
The visual impact was the top priority for residents who responded to the consultation, followed by agriculture and the impact on the environment.
Mark Noone, Head of Development UK for Elements Green, said: “Great North Road Solar Park would deliver enough green energy to power every Nottinghamshire home, whilst the development will bring a multi-million-pound boost to the region in the form of jobs and wider economic activity.
“It will play a big part in meeting the UK Government’s net zero target, whilst helping to end our reliance on imported energy from countries like Russia.
“The site won’t be intrusive. Recently, we staged visits to another local solar park for residents concerned about the impact on the landscape, and they were pleasantly surprised by how easily solar developments blend into the natural environment.
“Additionally, we are committing 800 acres of the GNR site for wildlife enhancement, with 25km of new hedgerows and the planting of 50,000 trees, as well as measures which will help combat existing flooding in the area.
“Given the global urgency of the climate crisis, temporary developments like Great North Road Solar Park, can help make a huge difference without sacrificing the countryside. In fact, just 0.4 per cent of agricultural land is needed to hit the UK government’s 2035 solar targets – less than the space currently taken up by golf courses.”
Feedback can be sent by email at [email protected].
The Great North Road scheme will also be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval in 2025 after a further round of consultation this autumn.
