Opposed to the Development? Then let your views count...

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 THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT MUST RECEIVE YOUR OBJECTION WITHIN 21 DAYS OF PLANS BEING SUBMITTED.

We need as many letters of objection as possible. 

Write as individuals and get your family, friends, visitors, holiday makers, anyone with a connection to the area to write an objection too. Every letter counts.

Your objection email/letter must include:

        · the application reference number ……………………………………….

        · your contact details.

                                                   *IMPORTANT*

Begin your letter by stating clearly that you OBJECT to the application. Then concisely provide your reasons using some of the ‘material planning considerations’ listed below.

Material Planning Considerations

(Material Planning Considerations are the ONLY thing that carry weight with Planners when deciding to approve or reject the planning application).

Access/traffic/parking and road safety issues 

· proposed access route for construction traffic

· single track, winding, country lanes

· lack of passing places

· unsuitable for HGVs and additional traffic

· designated ‘Quiet Lane’ status of Clarkes Lane, Mill Lane, Great Common Lane, Banters Lane

· sign at the end of Clarkes Lane states ‘NO WORKS TRAFFIC!

· hazardous to walkers, horses/riders, cyclists

· interruption to local businesses

Heritage/Listed Buildings

· proximity of listed buildings to heavy construction traffic and groundworks could undermine foundations and stability. 

· Effect on Grade 1, 2* and 2 listed buildings:Churches of St Andrews, All Saints, St. Bartholomew, St John the Baptist and St Lawrence, the Weslyn Chapel, ancient farmhouses and barns, Mettingham Castle and The Mount (Motte and Bailey castle). 

Site History 

· ‘Best and Most Versatile (BMV)’ arable land used for growing wheat, barley, oilseed rape. 

· Individual fields bordered by hedges, trees, areas of copse and ditches. 

· Public footpaths, bridleways, The Gull and the ancient Angles Way border and cross the proposed site.

Visual impact - layout, size, design/appearance

· 232 acres of prime arable land used

· 3.6-metre-high black bifacial solar panels

· 8ft tall deer fencing

· battery storage similar in size to shipping containers.

· vistas lost (countryside, listed buildings, churches, residential homes, tourist destinations, footpaths, bridleways)

Local economy - how this might affect your business

· construction traffic for up to 18 months

· less appealing for b&b, camping, residential visits? 

Conservation Areas 

· 80 acres ancient grasslands at Ilketshall St. Andrew, St. John and Becks Green. The commons have been designated a County Wildlife Site (CWS) demonstrating their key role in the conservation of Suffolk’s biodiversity. Although not within the proposed Solar Farm boundary, the development will reduce the quality of the countryside character of the Commons.

Cumulative Impacts 

· other developments (proposed or completed) in this area e.g: Barsham Turbine, Holton Turbines, expansion of storage facilities at St John’s, the upgrading of Barsham Water Treatment plant, Wissett Solar Farm, Grays Lane Solar Farm, Sizewell C nuclear plant.

Noise or other disturbances 

· noise impact during heavy construction phase: pile driving, heavy lorries, increased traffic

· noise of inverters and air conditioning units to cool battery storage facilities.

Ecology, wildlife and protected trees 

· Site is currently agricultural fields bordered by hedges, ditches, mature trees and copse. 

· Wildlife corridors and field margins are currently support the habitats and feeding grounds of insects, birds and mammals. 

· Ponds in the area provide important breeding sites for birds and amphibians including the Great Crested newt. 

Contravention of Government and or local planning policy

Planners are heavily influenced by the policies currently in place for solar farms. Pointing out where RES are contravening the policies below is a powerful weapon.

· The National Planning Policy Framework, (NPPF)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy#particular-planning-considerations-for-hydropower-active-solar-technology-solar-farms-and-wind-turbines

· National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005759/NPPF_July_2021.pdf

· Local Planning Policies

https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/

Remember to avoid matters which are NOT  Material Planning Considerations as these will not be considered by the planners. These include: impact on property values, loss of view (but not the effect on quality of view), moral objections, personal views of the applicant, commercial competition, work already carried out, private access rights and restrictive covenants.

There are three ways to register an objection:

Email: planning@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

Entry on Planning Portal: https://publicaccess.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=S1N3UWQXFLM00

Write to: Planning Team, 4, Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ