East Farm Solar Park

Issues we wish to be considered as part of the consideration of this planning application

Great Staughton Parish Council would like to make the following response to the proposal for a solar Farm in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

The Parish Council’s response has been informed by meetings and discussions witha large of number of residents on the subject. 

There is an overall opinion that the Solar Farm development is excessive and disproportionately large and too close to villages. This is such a sprawling and disjointed project that it risks blighting a large swathe of rural landscape. This landscape is especially valuable considering the pressure on the countryside from other developments including up and down the A1, east west rail, major developments proposed at Tempsford, and the Universal studios development. 

The Parish Council would like to bring to the attention of the Planning authority the Great Staughton Neighbourhood Plan which was confirmed in a referendum in September 2025 with a Yes vote of 92%.  In that Neighbourhood Plan GSNP 7 states

As appropriate to their scale, nature and location, development proposals must recognise, maintain and where possible enhance the existing landscape and settlement character in Great Staughton parish

iv. avoid significant adverse impacts on the locally distinctive and locally valued views, vistas and landmarks defined on Maps in Appendix 1 - Views and Vistas; 

v. maintain or reinforce the strong connection between settlement and the surrounding rural landscape through the sensitive treatment of the settlement edges and

vi. respect, retain or enhance the character and distinctiveness Great Staughton’s rural landscape.

The Neighbourhood Plan is available athttps://www.greatstaughtonpc.org.uk/neighbourhood-plan and reference should be made to Map 2 on Page 8 and the whole of GSNP7 on page 38. Attention is also drawn to attachment 17 the Great Staughton Landscape and Townscape Assessment which shows in Character area 6 the precious rural environment. 

The Parish Council would make the following specific points in relation to its objections

• The siting of the panels on site C in Gt Staughton would be north facing, which is suboptimal (as there would be shadowing over the solar panels) and would involve more land mass than necessary elsewhere most of which is good quality farmland. 

• The Parish Council is very concerned about access to the site in what is a rural area with a corresponding road network. The Parish Council notes the proposal for an access road on to the site off of the B645 and then a road access around the site avoiding the village of Great Staughton.  This is imperative for the preservation of the village of Great Staughton and its community.  If granted the conditions for this development must include stringent regulations that all site traffic must only use the access road and this must be supported by proper enforcement technology eg cameras and active engagement by the Police and local Authorities. The B645 is a rural through route and would be used by most of the construction traffic from the A1 and A14. It has some very tight and dangerous bends about .75 mile from the proposed access road. It would make more sense and be much less dangerous if the access road was built prior to these bends on the B645 closer to Hail Weston (and the A1) to avoid these dangerous bends. There is an existing bridleway and other potential access points.  Consideration also should be given in relation to traffic approaching from the West along the A14, this must be clearly directed to travel along the A14 to the A1 junction and approach the solar farm from the B645. There must be clear instruction that the minor roads through Catworth, Kimbolton, or Grafham and Perry are wholly unsuitable. 

• The important Roman Town archaeological site must be protected from any incursion from the access road. It must also be protected from any requirements for cable infrastructure. 

• The proposed location of East Park site C would destroy a very important view across the Kym Valley and of the village of Great Staughton including views of the ancient Manor and the Church. Walks designed around the village footpaths 2, 24, 28, 34,  and 40 would be seriously impacted by the solar Farm together with bridleway 7 into Hail Weston Parish. These walks were specifically designed in the 1990’s with the co-operation of the landowners, Parish Council, and the community to provide easy access to the countryside for the residents of the Parish. Footpath 24 across the ridge on the Moor affords special views.  If the proposals are approved there should be a condition imposed that sensitive screening is provided to limit the view of the panels from the village (possible as this is on the North side of the solar farm and so would not impede sunlight to the panels) and the views from the Moor ridge should be retained as far as possible in consultation with the local community. 

• The Parish Council is pleased to note the revised position of the battery storage to site D at a more remote location. It does though note this will be very visible from the surrounding area including the main through route and would suggest that the building is screened on all sides by appropriate and adequate vegetation. 

• The Parish Council is pleased to note the revised quantity of solar panels around the village in site C. It notes specifically the removal from the field now known to be a Roman Town and some from those very close to the Manor and Church. Having said that it feels that the proximity of the panels in the Northern quadrant of site C would be further improved by removing those close to the church and other historical buildings. It feels that the solar farm site C still impacts on the heritage aspects of Great Staughton exemplified in the Conservation and listed buildings area along the Highway and the Causeway along the Southern perimeter of site C.  

• Elements of the solar farm are close to the village as previously stated and it is important that any disruption to rural and community life is kept to an absolute minimum. The Parish Council would ask as a condition working hours are limited to 9.00am - 5.00pm Mon Fri and 9.00 -12.00 Saturdays.

• The Parish Council notes the provision of a legacy fund for the affected communities. In order to avoid any potential commercial issues it feels strongly that there is a requirement that the legacy fund money is placed into Escrow or placed with the Government to avoid the possibility of any bankrupt company reneging on the commitment.