SAVE OUR GREEN BELT – STOP THE SOLAR PLANT

Enso Energy, in the guise of a newly formed company called Elstree Green Ltd, have submitted plans to operate an industrial-size solar plant over 310 acres of Metropolitan Green Belt land. It will destroy vast amounts of the stunning open countryside covering areas within Elstree, Radlett, Aldenham, Letchmore Heath, Hilfield and Patchetts Green. The effects of things like glare from the panels will be felt as far away as Bushey.

The land is Green Belt, but it is productive land for crops such as kale, rapeseed, wheatgrass, beans and cabbage. We need to stand together to protect this precious rural countryside and its wide open spaces and network of footpaths which are enjoyed by so many individuals and families. Not only is the lungs of London, it is the beating heart of Hertsmere – a place for exercise, a place for tranquility, a place to exist with nature. It for is all of us – young and old, rich or poor. Never has this been more important for mental and physical health than during this pandemic. It is essential, right now, and it is essential for future generations.

We absolutely support good, green initiatives, but ripping up the Green Belt and replacing it with glass and metal and cables and plastic is not green. In fact, solar plays no role in UK green strategy going forward all the way to 2050.

Help us oppose this industrial solar plant! Help us keep Hertsmere truly green for all of us!

Object Now!

Reasons to Object

• Green Belt – Building a solar farm on GB is not a valid Very Special Circumstances reason.
• Green Belt Loss – This will be the single largest GB loss in decades. It will set a precedent. Alternative available sites were not looked at.
• Size/Scale – The scale of this 321 acres site equals 30 Wembley Stadium complexes.
• Visual Impact – 321 acres of 3M high solar panels will destroy the openness and scenic views. Current footpaths will be altered & screened with 2.2m high fencing & 3m high CCTV. Views blighted by 36x40ft Shipping Containers in site. 20 with Lithium Ion battery storage units. Elevations of the completed site are missing from.
• Amenity Space – Vital open space for health & wellbeing will be lost. Notably in COVID
• Soil Quality – Crops are farmed in rotation on this agricultural farmland DEFRA graded
• Heritage Site Impact – Viewing HS’s will be blighted by the solar plant.
• Listed Buildings – Aldenham, Habs, Slades Farmhouse and Hilfield Castle, have restrictions
• Protected Species – Numerous birds, great crested newts, badgers, bat roost, muntjac will loose their habitat. In turn this will have a negative affect on the local biodiversity.

• Flood Plain – Defra has said this site is on a flood plain.
• Glint & Glare – Aircraft, local traffic and dwellings will be affected as stated in their report.
• Noise Pollution – Battery storage, 20 transformers in fields & 80 aircon units will have a negative effect, especially for children at 4 local schools, with hearing and concentration.
• Local Plan & NHP – A solar plant on Green Belt is not in either plan. In the NHP it states, “protection and positive use of the surrounding Green Belt”.
• Battery Storage Units – Huge environmental and financial costs from incidents of fires have been recorded.
• Green Projects – Should take into account how things are sourced; manufactured; transported; installed; managed; dismantled and recycled. Items from countries with no emission legislation or workers rights is not green. Lack of detail does not mean its green!
• Solar Plants – Are actually very inefficient in generating renewable energy as they reach an optimum period and then become less efficient.
• N.B. – Since November 2020 the Secretary of State has rejected numerous similar applications.

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What can I do?

Act now and use the form below. This form below will automate a direct email to the council planning department where objections need to be registered.

Please feel free to add your own comments or simply add your name and details and click submit.

To object, emails need to be sent by 24th February 2021 to :

Email: consult.planning@hertsmere.gov.uk

Planning Ref: 21/0050/FULI

The form below will enable your objection to be logged with the planning department.