Esther McVey has urged planning bosses to consider the impact excessive traffic and 20 tonne HGVs will have on local residents – before making a final decision on whether to allow a proposed solar farm in Northwich to go ahead.
Ms McVey said local infrastructure would not cope, residents would face years of disruption , and a full understanding of the routes proposed must be looked into.
Cheshire West and Chester Council voted initially to reject the planning application for a solar farm at the Wallerscote Lime Beds but developers have since lodged an appeal and the decision now lies with the country’s top planning inspector.
If given the green light, an estimated 1.35 million tonnes of non-hazardous landfill will need to be transported to level the site before the solar panels can be installed.
The two routes, both on the A533- one through Barnton and over Winnington Bridge and the other through Northwich and onto A556, which goes along the outskirts of Knutsford – will significantly impact residents.
Ms McVey submitted her formal opposition as part of the consultation. She said: “I am shocked that either of these routes are considered suitable for that number of vehicles and for that length of time. I would urge the Inspector to drive both routes before making his determination on this appeal.
“The site itself is not within my constituency but both of the proposed haulage routes pass through my constituency and so therefore affect, very substantially, residents in Tatton. There will be significant impact from noise and vibrations as well as a reduction in air quality.”
Planning documents say there will be on average 193 lorry movements each way per day, meaning the actual number of journeys will be nearly 400.
If the project is completed over four years, lorry volume would increase to nearly 500 (241 round trips) per day.
Ms McVey said: “There seems little if any consideration to the fact the majority of Barnton use the A533 as the main route in and out of their village, or that it also provides access for Little Leigh Primary school. And it beggar’s belief that any proposed route would include Winnington Bridge, given we all know how vulnerable the infrastructure currently is, and how is struggles to cope with the weight of modern traffic; even without the addition of relentless traffic of 20 tonne wagons.”
Ms McVey added: “The second route is as bad, roads in Northwich were not designed for significant numbers of HGVs. This is where lots of residents of the villages go to shop and there are a considerable number of pedestrians along this route. A mix of HGVs and pedestrians has to be a significant health and safety risk.
The appeal is expected to be heard in July.
