Canon Barns Road Solar Farm

9/11/20 – 4/12/20 – the consultation has now ended

What is Canon Barns Road Solar Farm?

Bluestone Energy Ltd is proposing a renewable energy scheme on land at Canon Barns Road, East Hanningfield, approximately 8.9km south east of Chelmsford City Centre.

Electricity generated by the solar farm will be transported by a private wire connection directly to Essex & Suffolk Water’s Hanningfield Water Treatment Works which is located circa 0.7km to the west of the proposed solar farm. This will support Essex & Suffolk Water’s ambition to be net zero carbon emissions by 2027.

Our planning application proposes a comprehensive package including landscaping works alongside ecological and biodiversity benefits. Alongside this, the site would also be used for seasonal grazing if approved.

The site is being designed to have a 30-year lifespan. Following construction there will be limited activity on the site amounting to servicing of the equipment and management of biodiversity.

The panels will be laid out in arrays set at an angle of c. 20 degrees, with the top edges of the panels being up to 2.75 metres above ground.

Supplying the water treatment works with clean, green and renewable energy has a significant environmental benefit. In order to deliver these benefits, land nearby the treatment works is needed, creating special circumstances for development on the green belt.

Proposed consultation

Community consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say and make suggestions to incorporate changes to the scheme. This consultation follows initial engagement with Chelmsford City Council.

3D Virtual Exhibition

Launch 3D Exhibition

Please be aware that all comments submitted are subject to moderation to ensure that no content that includes slander or libel are posted on the Enzygo website through the pubic consultation webpage. Accordingly when a comment is submitted it might be a number of hours before the comment is shown on the webpage.

We can assure you that all comments both negative and positive are posted on the consultation webpage.

23 Comments

Garry Stanton Hi Fully against this project. I can appreciate the requirement for an increase in sustainable energy . The fact that the Agricultural land Classification is "Moderate" despite the fact that it has probably farmed for the best part of a thousand years. The day to day operation will have minimal effect on the locality as far as noise and lighting are concerned.. When we moved over forty years ago into Hanningfield we were attracted by the setting , the rural location and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Whatever picture you wish to paint Cannon Barns Solar farm will be a scar on our environment and will not be pleasant to the eye. If there is such a dire need for solar panels to generate power why doesn't Essex water fit them on the concrete of the Dam wall at Middlemead In conclusion it is my opinion that this project exists purely because there is a profit to be made ,at the expense of the local inhabitants.
17th November 2020 at 2:49 pm
- Enzygo Thank you for your comment. The submitted application will be supported by a comprehensive set of technical assessments, including landscape and agricultural land considerations.
  20th November 2020 at 1:34 pm
Colin Masterson I fully agree and endorse every word of Garry Stanton. I have been in the village for 15 yrs and we don't want this blot on the landscape
17th November 2020 at 7:32 pm
Sam This solar farm will face a very strong opposition in regards to the proposed site at Canon Barns Road and also other sites within the Parishes of East Hanningfield and Rettendon. Canon Barns Road is clearly not a suitable location for such a development for many reasons. This site will be positioned in an historic area of natural beauty and countryside. The area contains footpaths and historic war time buildings of which will be completely ruined by the view of solar panels covering the land. The footpath which runs along the edge of the field at canon barns road site has been used by walkers for generations and is a great route through the area displaying a fine example of the local rural beauty in the area along the way. We have recently discovered that this footpath has dilibertely been blocked of from being publicly accessed which is illegal and so the relevant authorities will now be acting to reinstate this protected right of way. Being in an extremely close proximity to local housing just a stones throw away is something that your proposal does not seem to take into any consideration. Although the health risks associated with such a solar farm are low it is also to be noted that evidence is available which shows in the case of a malfunction of the equipment resulting in a fire the reprocussions could be devastating for the health of anyone within close proximity. Although fires are unlikely to occur it is not an impossibly and so a location spaced further away from any local housing is much more suitable. We have already accounted for many hundreds of local residents which all have the same view in terms of the destruction to our beautiful countryside your development will cause and so many members of our tight knit community working together which the local parish councils we will be doing everything in our power to make it does not go ahead.
19th November 2020 at 11:11 am
- Enzygo Thank you for your comment. Apologies for any delays in comments being posted on the webpage. We can assure all stakeholders that any comments received both positive and negative will be posted on the consultation webpage. The footpath is outside the site boundary and the project team including the landowner would not create any blockages to this route which you quire correctly state must be publicly accessible.
  20th November 2020 at 1:35 pm
  - Sam It is not true that the landowner would not block the footpath intentionally as the was previously the case a few years ago with a previous proposal for a food waste recycling centre whereby the same landowner was involved. In this instance the landowner had intentionally blocked off the footpath running through their land as it would interfere with planning application if still in use. Once the relevant parties were notified of this issue the landowner was made to reinstate the footpath and inevitably the planning was refused after increasing pressure from local residents and the parish councils.
    23rd November 2020 at 11:12 am
Sam This solar farm will face a very strong opposition in regards to the proposed site at Canon Barns Road and also other sites within the Parishes of East Hanningfield and Rettendon. Canon Barns Road is clearly not a suitable location for such a development for many reasons. This site will be positioned in an historic area of natural beauty and countryside. The area contains footpaths and historic war time buildings of which will be completely ruined by the view of solar panels covering the land. The footpath which runs along the edge of the field at canon barns road site has been used by walkers for generations and is a great route through the area displaying a fine example of the local rural beauty in the area along the way. We have recently discovered that this footpath has dilibertely been blocked of from being publicly accessed which is illegal and so the relevant authorities will now be acting to reinstate this protected right of way. Being in an extremely close proximity to local housing just a stones throw away is something that your proposal does not seem to take into any consideration. Although the health risks associated with such a solar farm are low it is also to be noted that evidence is available which shows in the case of a malfunction of the equipment resulting in a fire the reprocussions could be devastating for the health of anyone within close proximity. Although fires are unlikely to occur it is not an impossibly and so a location spaced further away from any local housing is much more suitable. We have already accounted for many hundreds of local residents which all have the same view in terms of the destruction to our beautiful countryside your development will cause and so many members of our tight knit community working together which the local parish councils we will be doing everything in our power to make sure it does not go ahead.
19th November 2020 at 11:39 am
Sam It will also be noted that your company does not allow fair comments which oppose the your development by local residents as my previous details response has been deleted from public viewing by yourselves of which screen shots show the moderators have removed the comment. This will be passed on the relevant parties involved.
19th November 2020 at 11:44 am
- Jez The same appears to have happened to me as well Sam. Post comment. Await moderation. No response. Removal!
  23rd November 2020 at 10:58 am
Peter Reading the latest update from government regarding the ban on diesel and petrol car sales by 2030 and also the UK's target to be Net Zero Carbon this project makes sense, how else can we get clean energy in local areas. From the information provided in the leaflet and the subsequent letter supported by Essex and Suffolk Water I can see that this is not a normal 'for profit' large grid connected Solar farm, instead it is helping our local water utility to be operational utilising clean renewable energy, we should all be supporting this concept across the UK. Ok, solar panels are not everyones cup of tea, but given the size of this project against the other huge solar farm proposal in the area, this is surely a far better dedicated arrangement. If it supports the Hanningfield treatment works that provides us all with clean water we should be supporting this opporunity surely.
20th November 2020 at 2:18 pm
- Sam There are plenty of other suitable locations in the area of Essex which are much further away from local properties. There is absolutely no reason why sites further a field which are at least several hundred meters from housing can not be used such as areas out towards Burham-on-crouch where it will not have any impact or interfere with anyone.
  23rd November 2020 at 11:21 am
Jez Just reading an LSE report from 2018 which states quite categorically that Solar Farms are NOT environmentally benign and have a significant negative impact on property prices. This report mirrors finding in studies carried out in other countries as well. This is in addition to the other issues already raised. Can I ask how many of the folk that are in favour of this project will actually be living on the land that lies adjacent to the proposed site? I don't think there is a person alive that would choose to live next to a solar farm versus a green field. As someone that would be directly and negatively affected by this proposed project we strongly object. We have spoken with both our local MP and the council who are aware of our stance and are said to be monitoring it with a keen interest. This legal advice we have received thus far is also quite categoric in its assurance that our objection to such a project is correct and totally justified.
23rd November 2020 at 9:58 am
Anna Looking at the issues associated with theses projects makes me ask why anyone would support such a project? I live directly next to the proposed site. It would ruin the immediate environment, wildlife, view, setting and property values without doubt. That argument just cannot be contested I'm afraid whichever way you decide to look at it or put a spin on it. It's a no from me, totally and utterly. Take your pick on the reason(s) for objection, there are plenty to choose from.
23rd November 2020 at 10:16 am
Carli Savill I am fully against this proposal, I have lived in the village for the best part of 20 years and we don’t want this eye sore ruining our beautiful village.
23rd November 2020 at 10:50 am
Nita Sorry the need to farm land for food is far more important than a field full of Solar Panels. Our countryside should be for Agriculture and Wildlife. It will be a blot on our local landscape, together with the seperate Solar Farm known as Sandon Brook Solar farm (approx 175 acres). People chose to live in Village environment because of the countryside and nature around them - Whether this is on land or water ( France is building a Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant in Piolenc). It will totally ruin our little bit of England forever. So no thank you.
24th November 2020 at 5:38 pm
Niamh Totally against this project based on both environmental and financial issues. Both that will be affected negatively and without justification. Why on earth you cannot site it in a more remote area beggars belief. Between you and the other environmental calamity proposed next to it you will completely ruin the East Hanningfield and Rettendon villages. Why not just re-name the whole area solar city? Disgraceful! No, not happy at all!
26th November 2020 at 10:54 am
- Enzygo Thank you for your comment. The solar farm needs to be within close proximity to the Hanningfield Water Treatment Works as the renewable energy produced by the solar arrays will be connected by private wire to the water treatment works. This results in the energy required for the water cleaning process being from a renewable source and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  27th November 2020 at 11:56 am
Graham Reeve totally against these eyesores.
26th November 2020 at 2:44 pm
Sue Dobson You have stated that Cllrs Paul Clarke and Lance Millane are in approval of this project; however they are not the Ward Councillors for this site - myself and Cllr Richard Poulter cover this area. So far no discussions have taken place with either of us regarding this site.
1st December 2020 at 10:48 am
- Enzygo Thank you for your comment, Cllr. Dobson. Ward Members and Parish Councillors have been directly contacted via email on two occasions through the consultation period. We will resend the email and if you require any further information please get in touch.
  4th December 2020 at 12:11 pm
Jez It has also come to light via a third party ecology report that the land adjacent to the proposed site contains a badger sett. Details of this are available to view for those that wish to visit the location.
1st December 2020 at 11:26 am
- Enzygo Thank you for your comment and providing local knowledge of potential ecological issues. An Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) will be completed to support the planning application and this will identify potential ecological impacts including potential badgers setts in and around the site.
  4th December 2020 at 12:12 pm
Raymond Armson As concerned villagers of 32 years residence in West Hanningfield in your visibility zone we are against this site particularly its position alongside residential properties and in a sensitive rural environment.The lack of consultation in our village and with our local councillors and parish council renders this an undemocratic process. The fact it is ground sited on historic farming land which due to Brexit we can ill afford to lose. Canon Barns is a historic farm recorded from the early mediaeval time and green farming policies are asking that more grass grazed beef and more agricultural land is used for food production to make UK more food secure. The reservoir is a noted SSI for waterfowl and other rare birds, bats, and raptors which migrate throughout the year and are sensitive to visual disturbance created by reflections which suggest an area of water, they become disorientated which will affect their behaviour wellbeing and breeding. Many birdwatchers travel from all over Essex & the uk visit the Hanningfield Reserve and reservoir bringing valuablee tourism to the local businesses. This site will provide no benefit to the surrounding villages. Important increasingly rare wildlife, visible and invisible, live in these fields, hares, rare butterflies, dragon flies, tawny and barn owls skylarks and songthrushes which many ramblers from far and wide enjoy using the historic Canon Barns footpath from our village. This project is ill thought out creating such an upheaval for a relatively short term gain, the solar panels themselves are still in their elementary development phase and have a poor return due to our british weather. How efficient are they during our frequent low cloud frets , when covered by dust which lack of rain in this dry area is unlikely to remove? Our beautiful rural landscape has already been industrialised by the Waterboard offices ,our village is a rat run of Waterboard vans speeding to the back Middlemead entrance and we have already endured years of construction noise for the new treatment facilities projected to continue until 2022. Why choose our Green Belt agricultural land when there are brown field areas even among the waterboard site, we realise its a cheap easy option and there are too few of us to make an adequate protest. We are a crowded and small island and if we waste our green land we will be living in a glass desert. The heavy clay soil is unsuitable for the sheep grazing and cornfield wildflowers your plan proposes, they are the standard suggestion for such farms and will not mitigate the destruction proposed.
4th December 2020 at 12:35 pm