Residents urged to give views on major solar plan

CALLS have gone out for people to get more educated about the potential impacts of a nine mile long solar farm proposal. A public consultation will take place at Smith’s Hotel, Gretna Green, on Monday afternoon for for the Wyseby Hill Energy Farm project, which would be sited near Kirkpatrick Fleming, Gretna and Chapelknowe. Stockport based Green Energy International are preparing a planning application and the event is a chance for the public to view updated layout plans and design information and give feedback. However, campaigner Suzy Young fears not enough people are aware of the plans. She said: “I am deeply concerned about the scale and location of the proposed solar development and the impact it could have on the rural character of the area between Gretna and Eaglesfield. “This is a landscape of productive farmland and open countryside which forms part of the setting for several small communities. For many people, it is not simply a view but the environment in which they live and work. The prospect of such a large-scale energy development changing that landscape into what would effectively be an industrial power site is very difficult to accept.” Her other concerns include the two-three year length of the construction and subsequent disruption; the potential effects on wildlife, biodiversity and the wider ecology; and the loss of valuable agricultural land. She added: “I want to be clear that I am not opposed to renewable energy. The transition to more sustainable forms of power is essential. “However, the location and scale of developments must be carefully considered.” Calling on residents to take an interest, she said: “It is so important that local people engage with the current consultation process and make their views known, whatever those views may be.”