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Exton Parish Council hosts meeting into plans for 'solar power station' by Econergy




About 50 people attended a meeting to describe how their lives would be affected by a ‘solar power station’ on farmland near their homes.

The demonstration of strong feeling against Econergy’s plans for Exton Estate land west of Barnsdale Avenue was heard by members of Exton Parish Council, which will be contacting Econergy.

As well as outlining reasons why the application for the 81-hectare installation of panels and batteries should be refused by Rutland County Council’s planning committee, the parish council will also tell Econergy the information it has so far provided about the technology is seriously lacking.

A parish council meeting in Exton attracted a large turnout
A parish council meeting in Exton attracted a large turnout

This, people felt, meant they could not make an informed decision, and led to suggestions that large lithium-ion batteries would be used to store solar energy - which can cause serious fires and the release of poisonous gases. They were also worried that panels would be bought from a Chinese firm which uses forced and child labour.

Speaking at the meeting, Dennis Sherwood, who lives in Barnsdale Avenue, requested that people do not call the proposal a solar ‘farm’.

“It’s not a farm, it’s a power station just like the coal power station Drax or the nuclear power station Hinkley Point.

Dennis Sherwood opposes the solar farm at Exton
Dennis Sherwood opposes the solar farm at Exton

“Every time we use the word ‘farm’ we do the developer a favour.”

Richard Abels, of Stamford Road, Exton, brought up concerns about the quality of the presentation Econergy delivered, at a webinar and in the village hall last week, and in their printed and online materials.

“Their presentation was very amateur - I wouldhave been sacked from my previous job for presenting a scheme so skimpily. The lack of detail was alarming.

“They have not decided which panels they are going to use or what equipment.”

A resident of New Field Road in Exton remarked that he worked ‘in the industry’ and said “for that to be built next year and them not know what they are going to use - that’s a lie”.

Suggestions were made about using previously used land, such as at St George’s Barracks and Woolfox depot in Rutland, or alongside the A1 where there is already noise pollution.

The proposed solar site would connect to the national grid through the substation at Oakham, which led to suggestions the location of the panels could not be altered by much.

But Neil Tunstall, who moved in to a house in Barnsdale Avenue just before the scheme was announced, said it was just a question of costs.

“At the moment the location is maximising profits for Econergy and the landowner. It it is further away it is technically possible but will mean less profit.”

Exton Parish Council will makes its views known to Econergy that “the consultation was so bad it is impossible for us to make any judgment”.

Once the public consultation period ends on August 14, Econergy is expected to submit a planning application to Rutland County Council. There will then be a period of at least 28 days for people to send their views on the application to the council before a decision is made.



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