April 2024 Minutes - APM
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24th April 2024 at Sutton St Edmund Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs C Hatch (Chair), C Hunns, C Allen, District Cllr Laura Eldridge, 3 volunteers, 28 members of the Public, David Vernon from Meridian, Cyra Carley, Alex Ross, Gill Eaton and Ben Wheeler from PACE Solar and Miss D. Leedham (Parish Clerk).
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Meridian Solar presentation
David from Meridian read through their presentation noting the proposal is in initial stages and is a nationally significant project to be decided by Secretary of State. David advised Meridian Solar are engaging with LCC, SHDC and Natural England and the map identifies boundary of proposal, further details will be released in the future.
Members of the Public raised the following concerns with the environmental impact, lack of environmental survey and expected acreage. Concerns were also raised with the lack of public acknowledgement and engagement.
Statement from Sir John Hayes MP
The following statement was read by Cllr Hatch on behalf of Sir John Hayes MP:
I am in Parliament this evening, unable to join you in person. So, given the critical importance of the linked issues of proposed giant electricity pylons and huge solar developments across our area, I wanted to update you in writing on what I am doing to protect our farmland and Lincolnshire’s landscape.
I have opposed National Grid’s proposed ‘Grimsby to Walpole upgrade’ plans, as they affect our area, since I was made aware of them. National Grid intend to construct 50-metre-high pylons on a route from Sutterton Dowdyke down to Tydd Gote.
Having written to National Grid and the relevant Government department to formally oppose the plans, I have set out my objections to them in person on multiple occasions, both here in Lincolnshire and in Westminster, as well as meeting Ministers with responsibility for Planning and Energy, arguing for a different solution which would protect our Fenland landscape from these highly intrusive industrial structures.
Local people tell me that they are concerned about the creeping industrialisation of the countryside in South Holland, as this proposal comes in addition to the Tritton Knoll and Viking Link cable routes. Please sign my public petition, soon to be presented to Parliament.
In my view National Grid should look at locating cables offshore, ideally, or if not, underground rather than overhead, and I am currently looking at examples from elsewhere in the country where this is the case. The development of a grid offshore would spare the English countryside.
Industrial development on a huge scale risks jeopardising our farmland, much of which, of course, is grade 1, 2, and 3a land - vital to our food security. Our county is responsible for 12% of the nation’s total food production, growing 30% of Britain’s vegetables, 20% of sugar beet, as well as producing 18% of its poultry. Lincolnshire boasts more Grade 1 agricultural land than any other county in England, and our area is the centre of UK food production and logistics. As such, removing prime agricultural land at a time when world events have reminded us of the vital importance of food security is plainly wrong.
For these reasons I also oppose the numerous proposed large solar developments in South Holland. The Government’s commitment to clean energy is important, but the development of this must take place with the consent of people who live close to it - as the Government has repeatedly made clear. Lincolnshire, including South Holland, is currently the target of numerous solar applications, covering thousands of acres, currently devoted to agriculture and horticulture.
My large-scale survey is asking thousands of households for their views on proposed solar developments which threaten this farmland. To date, I have received 175 responses, with almost all opposing the plans, many of whom specifically cite the loss of prime farmland as their biggest concern.
In meetings, questions and correspondence in the House of Commons and with relevant authorities, I have been proposing alternative approaches, including solar on industrial roof space and brownfield land. Energy companies should be obliged to pursue these rather than being permitted to industrialise vast swathes of the productive Lincolnshire countryside.
Having met the firms behind the proposed solar developments to set out my concerns and those of my constituents, I am confident that Conservative councillors on South Holland District Council will continue to do all they can to oppose such installations. I will press the Government to support the principle that local communities should not have development forced on them, knowing that the Prime Minister has set out his opposition to building solar on agricultural land. With this in mind, we must continue to do all we can to protect our landscape and farmland from these twin threats.
If you have not received one of my surveys or had a chance to sign the petition, please let my office know so that we can arrange for you to have a copy.
Update from the County Council
The following statement was read by Cllr Hatch on behalf of County Councillor Pepper:
I have met up with Lincolnshire County Council’s head of planning this morning at Lincoln regarding the major Meridian Solar proposal and from LCC’s point of view there is very little to say at this moment in time.
As you will be aware the decision will be made by the Secretary of State and LCC will be consulted prior, the LCC head of planning anticipates that LCC’s part will be debated by the planning committee in about one years time!
Being one of the 15 members (out of a total of 70 councillors) of the planning committee I will be playing an active part nearer the time. It is best practice for a committee member not to ‘show their hand’ until all the facts / pro’s and con’s are presented to them and with the advice received this morning this is the stance I will presently be taking.
To add some comfort however, every planning application presented to LCC for solar panels in Lincolnshire has been strongly resisted by the planning committee and executive members and I strongly expect this to be the case even more-so with this particular application bearing in mind the size and the grade of agricultural land etc.
Further, I personally will continue to strongly support local opinions on such matters.
Regarding the Pylon application, you will be aware that I recently provided the Parish Council with LCC’s clear objections to the proposal.
Update from the District Council
Cllr Eldridge gave a brief update at the meeting, thank you the Parish Council for the opportunity to speak, Cllr Eldridge noted speeding and fly tipping were main issues reported. Cllr Eldridge encouraged all to report fly tipping on the SHDC. Cllr Eldridge noted the efforts of CSW and advised the results of the traffic survey she had request for Throckenholt. Cllr Eldridge pledged to remain accessible and keep residents informed.
Update from the Parochial Church Council
Jane Spriggs gave an update for the Parochial Church Council noting the Church came under Elloe Fen which is made up of 5 parishes and was 1 of 3 Lincolnshire churches with box pews. Jane noted looking forward they were planning repairs to the stain glass windows and would be holding afternoon tea in the summer months for people to review one of the earliest maps of the parish.
Update from the Parish Council
Please see attached update.
PACE - Tydd Solar presentation
Alex from PACE Solar gave a presentation on the proposal, noting the application is awaiting validation by SHDC Planning Department.
Members of the Public raised concerns with where materials for the project where being sourced and where these would be stored onsite. Concerns were also raised regarding the route for construction vehicles especially considering the number of vehicles per week and the condition of the roads. Members of the public also enquired regarding the environmental impact and considerations given to wildlife including Badgers, Deer and Pheasants.
Any other matters
No items were raised during this part of the meeting.
Chairman’s close
The Chairman closed the meeting, thanking everyone for attending.