Resident fears solar farm plans could increase construction traffic on Bicker road that is ‘totally out of control’
Plans to construct an 86-hectare solar farm have raised concerns about traffic along a road ‘totally out of control already’.
A Bicker resident fears there could be more vehicles passing along a narrow country lane ‘unsuitable for construction traffic’ after AGR Solar 3 Ltd applied for permission to construct on agricultural land at Little Hale Fen for a period of 40 years.
The proposed solar farm would connect to the National Grid at Bicker.
“Noting this further application which affects Bicker parish because of the cable construction route, I can find no details of the proposed construction traffic route for the cable between the South Forty Foot and the existing National Grid substation on Bicker Fen,” resident D. Bowler wrote to Boston Borough Council.
“Obviously the existing road from the A17 to the top of Bicker Drove is ideal for the use of AGR Solar 3 Ltd.
“Could you please confirm that AGR do not propose to use roads through and around Bicker, specifically Cowbridge Road, for their cable construction route traffic?
“You know that these roads have been classified by Boston Borough Council as unsuitable for construction traffic.”
Mr Bowler added: “With the further expansion of the NG (National Grid) substation capacity this area will no doubt yet again be inundated by NG traffic.
“The situation for construction traffic on Cowbridge Road is totally out of control already."
The proposed Little Hale Fen site sits to the north west of Swineshead, Bicker and Donington, across the South Forty Foot Drain into the North Kesteven district.
The planning and design and access statement, prepared by agent AXIS, explains the proposed cable route, but doesn’t mention proposed construction traffic routes.
“The proposed cable route to the existing National Grid substation would run along the access track to Little Hale Drove and then east towards South Forty Foot Drain.
“The cable would be directionally drilled under the drain and would then continue east along Bicker Drove before heading south along Vicarage Drove and then into the National Grid substation.
“The planning application boundary allows for two possible connection options within the substation, but only one would be implemented.”
It adds: “The applicant is proposing to construct and operate a photovoltaic solar array with associated battery storage and ancillary development for a period of 40 years, after which the site would be decommissioned, and restored to its former condition and full agricultural use.
“The Proposed Development includes for a grid connection cable to National Grid’s Bicker Fen substation located to the east of the proposed location for the solar array.”
