SAFC have submitted a third adjustment to their commercial  plans for a Solar Farm. The revised application has taken no account of resident objections sent to South Tyneside Planning and is unchanged except they no longer plan solar panels on the south side of both fields. This  Green Belt land between Sunderland and South Tyneside(ST) forms an integral part of our heritage The ST Council itself admits that the planned Solar Farm does not accord with the current council development plan for the area. Object to ST Council by July 11th deadline.

Solar panels, Sunderland AFC plan to  erect on fertile farmland, will obliterate cherished views of the countryside and disrupt established wildlife corridors . The amended SAFC application  proposes to  destroy the wildlife corridor to Boldon Flats   used by over 4,800 birds annually . The detrimental effect on the strategic green belt between South Tyneside and Sunderland leading to merging of Sunderland and Cleadon removes the green belt  purpose. 

The Academy is built on the Green Belt and Very Special Circumstances (VSC) have to be accepted for any development to go ahead. This proposal  would lead to a significant reduction in the separation distance between the built areas in this location and detrimentally affects the purpose of the Green Belt under the National Planning Policy Framework(NPPF) provisions a) and b), even if the development is not the construction of buildings. It would  mean encroachment in the countryside, giving it an artificial but industrial appearance contrary to NPPF point c).

Reasons for South Tyneside to reject the AoL application include:-Adverse impact on the value and integrity of the wildlife corridor .The proposed development would  have a detrimental impact on the  established wildlife corridor for birds to Boldon Flats established for over 50 years.

Iconic  views both near and from afar from Cleadon Hills will be significantly impacted by the proposal to the detriment of the population,.Adverse effects on landscape character and removal of substantial open views across the open countryside, towards the coast and Sunderland.

Mitigation proposed through hedgerow  planting  will take 15 years before the visual effects  of the Solar Farm will be ‘minor adverse’. No viewpoints in the application show the visual impact of the substation, which is a very large structure and will be higher than the fencing and hedging. Impact on the enjoyment of the surrounding footpaths would be substantial with a potential safety/fear of crime impact to users of the footpaths running alongside the proposed fence.  Detrimental impacts on highway network, particularly at the Moor Lane junction with Sunderland Road during construction of the proposed development

Meeting our energy goals should not be used to justify the wrong development in the wrong location and this includes the use of high-quality land. Protecting the global environment is not an excuse to trash the local environment. We appeal to the South Tyneside Council to reconsider the location of the proposed solar farm and to exert every effort to preserve our Green Belt . 

Use the QR codes to appeal to the South Tyneside Council to reconsider the location of the proposed solar farm and  preserve our Green Belt . 
Please, stand united in protecting this piece of or heritage. Sign this petition and join the voice to safeguard South Tyneside's Green Belt.  https://chng.it/ZjYrrdkq5Y    .    Download QR Code