Plans have been unveiled for a massive new solar farm near Burton Joyce.
Renewable energy company Perigus Energy is preparing to submit formal plans for a new solar scheme on farmland next to Gedling Woods and the Colliery Way bypass, on the edge of Burton Joyce.
The project has been named Barrons Solar Farm and, while nothing is definite at this stage, around 220 acres of land could end up being used to house a new solar plant designed to power around 16,000 homes each year.
Before the firm submits its final proposals to Gedling Borough Council, officials want to hear the thoughts and opinions of village residents, with a public consultation currently running until Monday, 8 June, to gather responses.
Some village residents have welcomed the potential plans, saying it is a step towards more ‘energy security’ for the country following the price hikes in fuel in the wake of the Iran war.
One villager, who has lived in Burton Joyce and asked not to be named, said: “If anything, the last couple of months have reminded us of how dependent we are on getting energy elsewhere on the planet and how we have less control over our economy.
“If someone’s got land and is not doing something about it, I’d rather have a solar farm than more houses.
“It’s not got the same environmental footprint as fossil fuels, and the more energy generated at home, the better.”
Julie Smith, 71, who has lived near the fields for 10 years, called a new solar farm a “logical step”.
She said: “I don’t see how it could impact us in any way – if it made electricity cheaper, that’d be good.
“Out of [housing or a solar farm], we’d sooner have a solar farm – even the people who would back onto it, if they plant trees in the right way, won’t see it.”
Professor Clive Thomas, 85, who has lived in the village for about 25 years, said the scheme was an ‘excellent idea’.
He said: “We’ve got to have electricity – we can’t remain reliant on oil – it’s better than fields of rapeseed.
“It’s a very beautiful village, the people are very friendly. It doesn’t make any difference – nobody goes up there, it’s just a farmer’s field.”
However, one resident, who asked not to be named, said those living next to the land “would be against it”.
He said: “People don’t want that. We’re all [living here] because we pay good money to be here.
“We’ve all come here because of the peace and quiet and because there is no effect on us whatsoever – it makes the house prices go down.”
Perigus Energy’s plans outline that the site would generate up to 49.9 megawatts of clean renewable electricity and would reduce reliance on imported energy.
The energy company says that because the land has gentle slopes, is near the woods and has established field boundaries, the project could be integrated ‘sensitively’.
It says existing hedges and boundaries would be kept where possible and enhanced, reducing the visual impact of the development and helping local wildlife.
Gedling Borough and Nottinghamshire County Councillor Mike Adams (Con), who represents the area, said he was “encouraging residents to get involved in the consultation”.
He said: “It needs to go up to public consultation and the residents need to give their views – that’s got to be key.
“If the residents want it, have voiced their opinion and are happy with it, then, as a representative of their council, I will back it.”
As part of the consultation, the company is running an in-person exhibition at Burton Joyce and Bulcote Village Hall on Saturday, 16 May, between 10 am and 2 pm, to show residents the plans and speak directly with them.
