Energy Minister Steps In Over Solar Farm Concerns
A UK MP has stepped into a row over a solar farm scheduled for development in land near Peterborough. John Hayes, the MP for South Holland and the Deepings as well as being the Minister of State for Energy has reacted to complaints from locals and agrees the development is "˜the wrong thing in the wrong place.
The Minister has written to the Peterborough council urging them to find an alternative solution to the plans for a 900 hectare energy park. The council states it is trying to find innovative ways to generate income that will benefit the entire region.
The proposed development is not actually in the MP's constituency but he feels that in his role as Minister of State for Energy he needs to listen and respond to the people he represents.
The council's response was that the project was one way they were trying to deal with an ever dwindling support from federal government and believe that extensive landscaping will mitigate the concerns being raised.
The plan faces criticism from a number of concerned groups in the area.