Alicia Kearns MP is encouraging all interested parties to submit further comments to the Planning Inspectorate for Mallard Pass Solar Plant:
Everyone who registered as an interested party for the proposed Mallard Pass Solar Plant’s planning application will have received an email inviting you to provide your view on the letters from our Local Councils, Network Rail and the developers following a request for further information by the Planning Inspectorate.
You can see the letters here.
The Planning Inspectorate requested further information on:
- The progress for a highways deal between Rutland County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, and the developers.
- Progress towards a deal for the developers to use network rails cabling to transport energy from the project.
- Whether an assessment has been carried out into the impact the development would have on the rare Great Crested Newt species.
It is clear from the responses to the Planning Inspectorate that there are serious issues with the development even at this late stage. Whilst the developers claimed that a deal on the use of highways was imminent, Rutland County Council stated that ‘an agreement would not be likely to be completed within a period of two months without significant amendments made by the applicant.’
Likewise, I believe that the lack of an agreement between Network Rail and the developers resulted in the late inclusion of proposed compulsory acquisitions for residents in Essendine as a contingency plan for the necessary cabling to facilitate the project. That a deal has still not been reached is extremely disappointing and highlights the inadequacy of the application. I have already written to the Secretary of State, who will decide whether to grant approval for Mallard Pass, to raise my concerns.
You can read my letter here.
This is a great opportunity for you to make your own views known to the Planning Inspectorate on these areas. The deadline for submitting your comments is 15th April and the more of us who write in with our concerns, the greater weight they will be given when the final decision is made. You can submit your comments through this link.
Whilst I have already written directly to the Secretary of State to raise my concerns, I will also be submitting feedback to the Planning Inspectorate.
Together we can stop Mallard Pass.
