Kingsway Solar Farm will ‘industrialise’ the South Cambridgeshire countryside, warn campaigners

A major new solar farm could “industrialise the countryside” if it is built to the south of Cambridge, residents have warned.

Kingsway Solar Farm would cover 1,500 hectares (approximately 3,700 acres), across three main parcels of land around the villages of Balsham, West Wratting, Weston Colville and Weston Green.

The company behind it, Kingsway Solar Farm Limited, said it would help contribute to the UK’s energy security, with the potential to supply around 500 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, enough to power about 175,000 homes.

A battery energy storage system would store surplus energy on site during low demand and release it to thel grid when needed.

A secretary of state will consider whether it should proceed, as the project is considered to a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The Kingsway Solar Community Action (KSCA) group took part in a national community walk organised to highlight the impact of large-scale solar farms. More than 120 people came along and saw where the solar farm would be built.

Co-chair Vicky Moss said it would “envelop” some of the villages and the walk helped people to “visualise the scale of it and appreciate where it is going to be”.

She said: “There were some powerful points where everything in the near eyeline would all be covered in solar panels and battery storage, should the plans go ahead.

“I think that was quite stark for people who had not realised the scale of the impact, the visual impact, and how close it is.

“Although you can see on the maps, I do not think it had sunk in for some people that it may be at the end of their gardens, and just how close it would be.”

Ms Moss argued the impact on wildlife would be “significant” if current habitats are covered by panels.

She added: “We have concerns that we are sitting on very good agricultural farmland. What is the impact on food sustainability for the country if we keep building projects on good agricultural land?”

She also doubted whether the land would be returned to good quality farmland after the 40 year lifetime of the proposed solar farm, fearing it would be classed as brownfield land and developed into housing.

There are also concerns about the risk of fire from the battery storage facilities, which would lead to nearby villages being “engulfed by toxic fumes”.

The group fears that toxins from the battery storage could be washed into the chalk aquifer that supplies drinking water and has also raised concerns over the impact of lorries using already potholed “small country lanes”.

Ms Moss said the group is not “anti-solar” and believes in the need for net zero but feels it would be better to use brownfield land, or focus on installing solar panels on roofs of existing buildings.

She added that the group aims to “give a voice to the community”, claiming that engagement from the company behind the plans had been “incredibly poor”.

She said: “There is very limited community engagement and options for community participation, which I think is quite scary for local people.

“It just feels like this enormous project is being foisted upon us with no consultation and no inclusion of the local community and their ideas, their wishes, their thoughts and feelings.”

A spokesperson for Kingsway Solar Farm Limited said the company was “taking every effort to deliver a project that addresses a key national energy generation need, and benefits both the environment and the people living nearby”.

There are plans for “potential environmental mitigation and enhancement zones, recreational areas and community benefit initiatives”.

The spokesperson added: “We are still in the pre-application phase of the project, and the final layout of the site has not yet been fixed.

“A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is under way, which will review a ‘maximum extent’ layout and outline all mitigation measures to avoid, prevent, reduce or offset where possible any significant impacts, before we refine the design.

“The result of these assessments, along with the feedback received during both stages of public consultation, will help to shape the final project design.

“Full landscape and visual assessments are being carried out as part of the EIA process.

“Our ongoing assessments will consider the potential impacts to the landscape character and visual amenity from the introduction of the new infrastructure.

“Our proposals include measures such as planting and screening to help integrate the scheme into the rural landscape as much as possible.

“These assessments will be available to read as part of our stage two consultation.”

The spokesperson added that the company is carrying out surveys to determine the quality of the agricultural land and will focus on using the lower grade land.

Solar farms can “provide consistent, long-term sustainable revenue to farmers”, the spokesperson added, noting the quality of the land could be improved by giving the soil a rest period.

Addressing the fire safety concerns, the spokesperson said the battery storage would meet “rigorous UK safety standards”.

The spokesperson added: “Risk assessments, fire suppression systems, and close collaboration and consultation with the emergency services are core to the scheme design.

“With regard to aquifer safety, we will be carrying out hydrological studies which will identify if any protective measures may be required as part of the design.”

Traffic impacts would be assessed and a detailed construction traffic management plan and construction environmental management plan put together, setting out safe routes, schedules, weight limits, and road protection measures.

The company ran an initial consultation last year, which included three in-person events, an online webinar and a newsletter sent to more than 7,500 properties.

More than 400 submissions were received.

Another consultation with more details is now planned.

The spokesperson said: “We will again be inviting feedback on these proposals as we prepare the final scheme design.

“All project updates will be communicated on the project website and via email to those who have signed up to our mailing list.

“We want to ensure the local community can help shape the proposals and that their views are fully considered before the Development Consent Order application is submitted.

“We remain committed to being open and transparent and welcome ongoing dialogue with all members of the community.”