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Thousands of people have slammed early plans to build an “industrial” solar farm in a “picture postcard” area of Merseyside. Opposition has been growing since the plans were first revealed.
Plans by company Chint Solar, part of wider Chinese electronic manufacturer Chint Group Ltd, are in their early stages to build a solar farm close to Rose Cottage off Station Road in Thurstaston. The new farm on green belt land would cover a total of 27 hectares.
A map outline in documents previously submitted to Wirral Council suggests the solar farm would be built right next to The Nest, a popular café and bar for families, dog walkers, and beach visitors. It would extend north towards Thurstaton Hill as well as south west to a nearby caravan park.
However, the news that the solar farm could be built has led to a backlash, with more than 3,000 people signing an online petition and concerns raised by both Labour and Conservative councillors about the proposal. The petition, while supporting a UK target of net zero emissions, criticised the “industrial” plans which would see “iconic, much-loved views destroyed”.
Wirral’s Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green, who represents the area affected, said in a video, “We are fighting this all the way. We need to protect what is a beautiful area of Wirral.
“We need to keep it that way for our children and their children’s children. It should not be covered with a whole load of Chinese solar farms.”
In another video, Labour councillor Mark Skillicorn, who represents nearby Greasby, Frankby, and Irby said it was the “most fantastic view you could get from any part of the Wirral,” adding, “The thought of any development that will ruin this view is preposterous. It’s ludicrous and I haven’t heard of one person who thinks this is a great idea.”
He said, “The loss of this is unthinkable. I will be speaking to National England and the National Trust to gain their support.”
A spokesperson for the company said, “Chint Solar’s proposals for a solar farm at Rose Cottage, Thurstaston, are at a very early stage and no planning application has been submitted.
“The work undertaken so far has been limited to initial technical and environmental studies, which are a normal and necessary part of understanding whether a proposal could be appropriate before any formal plans are developed.
“At Chint Solar, we are committed to taking any potential proposals forward in open dialogue with the local community. A public consultation will be launched shortly, with a dedicated project website going live to provide clear, accessible and detailed information on the emerging proposals, and to invite feedback from the local community.
“As the project progresses, there will be a full and transparent planning process, with opportunities for residents and stakeholders to review the proposals and share their views before any application is submitted to Wirral Council.”
Image: https://depositphotos.com/
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