Last week, Richard submitted his objection to the proposed East Park Energy Solar Project to the Planning Inspectorate, warning that it would cause unacceptable harm to North Bedfordshire’s landscape, communities, and agricultural land. Richard's full representation can be read here.
In his submission, Richard argued that the 1,900‑acre scheme, which is larger than Gatwick Airport and covers 74% of Best and Most Versatile farmland, would lead to the generational loss of productive arable land and industrialise the rural area. Richard also highlighted the lack of consideration given to the cumulative impact of the scheme alongside other major infrastructure proposals in North Bedfordshire, including East West Rail, the A428 Black Cat upgrade, Universal Studios, Luton Airport expansion, and the proposed Tempsford New Town. In addition, Richard raised concerns about the developer’s lack of experience in developing and operating solar energy projects, the project’s financial resilience, and the risk that political change could leave the site as a stranded asset.
Richard Fuller MP says:
Brockwell Energy has not demonstrated that it has meaningfully explored alternatives such as rooftop solar, brownfield land, or reducing the scheme’s scale, and I believe has overstated the proposal’s energy benefits by relying on nominal rather than realistic output. When balancing the extensive environmental, social, and land‑use impacts against its modest benefits, I believe the adverse effects of this development substantially outweigh any contribution it could make to national energy needs.
Richard urged the Examining Authority to recommend the refusal of this Development Consent Order.
Although smaller solar sites already operate locally, the large‑scale East Park Energy Solar Plant is not suitable for this area. North Bedfordshire is already affected by five other national infrastructure projects, and it cannot reasonably accommodate an additional development of this scale.
