Public consultation extended Exton solar panels scheme

People are being given extra time to have a say on a solar panel and energy storage scheme.

Econergy proposes to put panels and a battery energy storage system (Bess) on 81 hectares of land bordered by Exton Lane and to the west of Barnsdale Avenue, about 1.8 km south west of Exton.

The company launched a four-week consultation with residents on July 18 to gain their feedback before a formal application is made to Rutland County Council.

Since then they have held an exhibition at Exton Village Hall attended by 70 members of the public, and a 'webinar' at which people could ask questions.

Now the company has announced it will extend the consultation for three weeks, until September 4.

Humphrey Jamieson, land and planning manager at Econergy said a seven-week consultation period is unusual for a project the size being proposed.

At 45MW output it falls just short of needing to go before the government's national Planning Inspectorate for a decision. Mallard Pass, a solar scheme for Essendine in Rutland, will need government approval because it would have an output capacity of 350MW.

Mr Jamieson added: "We are going above and beyond statutory requirements to ensure a meaningful public engagement.

"We recognise that some of the members of the community and elected officials may have been unable to participate in the consultation due to travel plans during the summer holidays, therefore, we have chosen to extend into the beginning of September to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn about the project and provide their feedback.”

The company says the online and webinar meeting "were productive" and the feedback "will help refine the final design of the project".

People can find out more about the Exton solar scheme at www.extonenergy.com where there is information including 'frequently asked questions' and the opportunity to give feedback.

Econergy can also be contacted by emailing info@extonenergy.com, or calling 0808 175 3009.

Opponents to the solar scheme have set up their own group, The Solar Squad, which has a Facebook group and can be emailed at stopextonenergy@gmail.com.

Among those against the application are Nick Hamilton, the owner of Barnsdale Gardens, who says the visitor attraction will be spoiled by the noise of the solar panels, each of which will have a small motor attached to keep them aligned with the sun throughout the day.

Other opponents suggest the farmland earmarked for the scheme - some of which is of good quality - should not be removed from food production, and say there will be visual blight from the panels and a danger from large batteries, which can result in fires that are difficult to extinguish and the release of toxic gases.

What do you think? Email your views to smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk