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10 Dec 2024
Westminster Hall
Cleve Hill Solar Park

1. ANALYSIS

Structure and Content:

  • The debate focuses on the Cleve Hill Solar Park and its impact on local communities, showcasing contrasting views on renewable energy development, local benefits, and environmental conservation.

Policy Terms and Legislation:

  • Domestic Infrastructure Regulations
  • National Planning Policy Framework
  • Environmental Permitting Regulations

Named Entities:

  • People: Dr Rupa Huq, Helen Whately, Jim Shannon, Sojan Joseph, Kerry McCarthy
  • Organizations: Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, Kent Fire and Rescue Service
  • Locations: Faversham, Graveney, Kent

Numerical Data:

  • 700 acres large solar park
  • 373 MW electricity generation
  • 700 MWh battery capacity
  • 1 million solar panels
  • 15 of 867 public representations supported the project

Acts, Amendments, and Procedures:

  • Planning Inspectorate’s recommendations
  • Section 106 planning stipulations
  • Environmental Impact Assessments

Related Parliamentary Business:

  • Solar Taskforce

Political Positions and Policy Stances:

  • Helen Whately: Support for renewable energy but cautious about large-scale developments like Cleve Hill.
  • Kerry McCarthy: Emphasis on regulatory rigor and balancing local and environmental impacts with national infrastructure needs.

Governmental Departments:

  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Dates and Timeframes:

  • 2020: Planning permission granted
  • 2024: Project near completion
  • 2030: Government's clean power target

2. SPEAKER POINTS

Helen Whately (Conservative)

  • Role: MP for Faversham and Mid Kent
  • Main Arguments: Concerned about visual, environmental, and safety impacts of Cleve Hill Solar Park.
  • Data Cited: Details of the project size and safety risks associated with large-scale batteries.
  • Positions: Advocates for renewable energy but calls for responsible project siting and community compensation mechanisms.
  • Questions Raised: Safety of large-scale battery systems, adequacy of current planning and regulatory frameworks.

Jim Shannon (DUP)

  • Role: MP for Strangford
  • Main Arguments: Focuses on road safety and damage due to construction activities.
  • Questions Raised: Strategies for mitigating road safety impacts and ensuring communication with affected communities.

Kerry McCarthy (Labour)

  • Role: MP for Bristol East
  • Main Arguments: Discusses broader policy of balancing infrastructure development with environmental and community interests.
  • Governmental References: Health and Safety Executive oversight of battery installations.
  • Positions: Supports Government oversight and engagement in energy project planning.

Sojan Joseph (Labour)

  • Role: MP for Ashford
  • Main Arguments: Highlights fire safety and emergency response issues in rural areas.
  • Positions: Calls for addressing these concerns before project approvals.

This analysis covers the primary speakers and refers to the technicalities of the planning process, the discourse on renewable energy, and the interplay of local and governmental roles in infrastructure projects.

Key Contributions

Original Transcript
Dr Rupa Huq
in the Chair

I will call Helen Whately to move the motion, and then I will call the Minister to respond. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention with these 30-minute wonders.

Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP

I congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this debate. The issue of disruption is incredibly important. I have a number of quarries in my constituency, and I know only too well the damage and enhanced wear and tear that such sites can cause on smaller countryside roads—I do not know the hon.

Lady’s constituency, but I presume that that issue will affect it as well. Does she agree that the road safety implications of heavy goods vehicle traffic using these roads over a number of years must be a priority for the construction company?

The only way to address that is to have open communication with the local community and a point person to deal with issues as they arise. Has the hon. Lady been able to persuade the construction company to do that?

Sojan Joseph
Ashford
Lab
11:08

My neighbouring constituency of Ashford has a big solar farm planned for it. I have recently listened to experts who have highlighted the risk of fire and toxic fumes from large batteries. Some of these farms are planned for rural areas that fire engines may not be able to access.

These are genuine concerns. Does the hon. Lady agree that local concerns need to be addressed before planning permission is approved?

Dr Rupa Huq
in the Chair
11:25

Not in a 30-minute debate.

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All content derived from official parliamentary records