PLANS for a 200 acre solar power plant have been referred to environmental specialists amid fears they may irreparably ruin the landscape.
Blueprints have been submitted for a 100,000-panel solar power plant on 200 acres of land between Hardy’s Green, Easthorpe and Copford.
But Colchester Council raised concerns about the potential of “significant environmental effects” arising as a result of the proposal.
On Sunday, campaigners opposing the plans lined the route of a busy race to raise awareness of their cause.
The Campaign Against Rural Exploitation (CARE) launched at the weekend when 15 of its members also took part in the 10k Colchester Zoo Stampede.
It stated the stampede run was an opportunity to showcase the rural landscape which could be lost if the construction of the plant on cultivated farmland goes ahead.
The middle section of the run followed the perimeter of the proposed plant, through open landscape which is popular with walkers and nature lovers alike.
The area provides a home to a wide variety of wildlife, including skylarks, lapwings and barn owls, as well as bats and hares.
CARE argues bridleways and footpaths might remain if the plans get the green light, but would be bounded by six foot high security fencing and CCTV cameras running for more than three miles.
Group spokesman Christopher Wilkinson said: “CARE is a fan of renewable energy and solar plants – in the right place.
“CARE also believes food security is every bit as important as energy security. Aren’t the Ukraine and climate crises demonstrating we need both?
“The UK already imports 45 per cent of its food, with farmland acreage in England at its lowest level since World War II, and falling.
“CARE maintains good quality farmland should be producing good quality local food.”
Colchester Council’s planning department has now stated an Environmental Impact Assessment is now required before a decision is taken.
A council report reads: “The potential environmental impacts of the proposal include transport and highways issues, landscape implications, contamination, historic environment, and biodiversity.
“The scheme is held to have the potential to cause significant environmental effects in terms of its scale and siting/location.”
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