Richard recently chaired the latest meeting of the Stop East Park Energy stakeholder group to discuss the proposed East Park Energy Solar Farm and its potential impact on North Bedfordshire.
The proposed East Park project would cover 1,900 acres, over 70% of which is classed as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land. If approved, this development, combined with smaller operational and approved solar sites nearby, would create a solar corridor more than six miles long, removing 2,800 acres of local land from agricultural use.
Richard Fuller MP said:
I strongly oppose this proposal. I am concerned about the scale of the development, the loss of prime agricultural land, and importantly the long-term impact on our rural landscape. I am also deeply concerned about the severe disruption, noise, and environmental damage that the long construction phase would cause to nearby communities.
You can read Richard’s full views here: https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/news/richard-opposes-east-park-solar-site-due-huge-loss-local-agricultural-land
What Happens Next?
The proposed East Park Energy Solar Farm has been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means the decision on whether to approve the development will be made nationally by the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero through a Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
Last month, the developer, Brockwell Storage and Solar, submitted its DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate, and the application has been accepted for examination. This marks the start of the formal process.
Next steps:
- Members of the public will soon have the opportunity to register as an Interested Party with the Planning Inspectorate. This is the only way to raise issues or concerns about the proposal during the examination process.
- The registration period has not yet been announced by Brockwell Storage and Solar, but it could be at any time. Once open, you will need to register by the deadline to ensure your views are heard.
For more information:
- Proposal details: https://eastparkenergy.co.uk
- How to object: https://stopeastparkenergy.com
- Updates: Follow Richard on social media and visit https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/campaigns/solar-farms
