In the Bury Street Precinct on Thursday, were a group seeking support for a proposed solar farm near Cumnor. The Cumnor Parish Council has voiced its opposition, citing concerns about the industrialization of the Greenbelt, the impact on the area’s natural beauty and character, disruption to public rights of way, agriculture, and ecological balance.
The representatives of the company wanting to build the solar farm say it will counter climate change by helping the shift away from carbon energy and so help the VWHDC is their action on the climate emergency. They said the land could still be used for sheep grazing. The consultation period is closed, and I was not sure of the benefit of getting people to sign a list of ‘benefits’ at this stage. The planning application on the VWHDC Planning portal has reference ‘P23/V2624/FUL’.
Meanwhile, Riverford Organic Farmers had their regular stall where people can sign up for organic vegetable and food boxes.
Organic farming relies on natural methods for pest control and fertilisation and is attractive to consumers who are able and willing to pay a premium for naturally produced food.
Aren’t they already planning a huge solar farm at Botley? There’s a lot of opposition to that, I gather. Surely we don’t need another one nearby on green belt farmland.
If every factory, warehouse and office block had solar panels on the roof – you know…out the way so no one would even notice – we would exceed the UKs energy needs.
Now, we can’t necessarily do that retrospectively due to weigh limits on existing roof and structures but surely every NEW building can have this designed in. This is how we can actually start to achieve real, proper, significant, useful strides to meeting our energy needs.
Yet…we do not.
Yet again, the people/industries that can actual contribute to solving this issue choose (or are not forced) to do so. Because of “cost” or inconvenience.
So it comes down to the little people to be put out and to make tiny, tiny, insignificant, changes that do nothing.
While the people who could actually bring changes, don’t; I don’t see why we should either.
Build your “solar farm”…but know it won’t help.
A point very well made Daniel, you are absolutely right 👏👏👏. The steps you outline make such sense and if acted on would help a lot !
Thanks Freddie, I am often right.
I will agree with you Daniel that you are often right – just this once 😉