The proposed Cleve Hill solar farm represents a hideous threat to a swathe of the internationally important North Kent Marshes.
You have until January 28 to register an interest in having a say. Please note that this doesn’t commit you to anything – it’s entirely up to you how much you want to get involved – but it is important that the more people who register, the better (for our environment).
“The Cleve Hill Solar Park proposal is huge in more ways than one. The parent companies, Hive and Wirsol, have a lot of expertise, time and cash. They’ve spent years concocting their plans – and the 5000 page application shows the depth and breadth of this work.
So, we’re facing an uphill battle, a herculean task, a David and Goliath fight. But it is a fight that can be won. One project that was refused was the Mynydd y Gwynt Wind Farm consisting of 27 onshore turbines east of Aberystwyth.
Even though the Planning Inspectorate’s Examiners recommended approving the scheme, the relevant Secretary of State (Amber Rudd at the time) had the final say and refused the application. Her decision hinged on the potential fate of red kites and a failure by the developer to provide sufficient information about whether any international obligations might be breached“.
GREAT- Graveney Rural Action Team
You can find out more here:
- the application information is still on the Planning Inspectorate’s website,
- the formal refusal letter from the Secretary of State is there as a PDF
- but you might want to have a look at the more readable analysis of this decision on the website of law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s website”.
There is also more information in Kent Online this week.
