The ST Council itself admits that the Solar Farm planned by SAFC does not accord with the Local council development plan for the area. Wildlife Corridor and Open space will be lost, especially if the council allow housing to be built next to the Solar farm on the neighbouring field.
Sunderland Council objected (to South Tyneside Council) because the original plan in 2024 affected the green belt but to address this objection. the revised current plan submitted by SAFC moved the solar farm northwards and created 100m of gap between Sunderland and South Tyneside. Whilst we object to any Solar farm development on precious Green Belt land, the wildlife corridor will be sacrificed if this plan goes ahead with a Solar Farm slap bang in the middle of the Green Belt.
For over 50 years the main wildlife corridor to Boldon Flats has run along Moor Lane. The Proposed Solar farm site is close to the Boldon Flats Local Wildlife Site which attracts numerous wading birds and waterfowl and frequently has attracted birds that are rare in the UK. Boldon Flats is attractive to these birds because of its proximity to the coast and the availability of other suitable fields for waders and wildfowl in the near vicinity. Birds move between the Flats ,other fields, and the coast along the wildlife corridor that South Tyneside Council has championed for 50 years. The small gap of land created by moving the development northwards will not suffice as a wildlife corridor for aquatic birds.
Additionally by moving the solar farm northwards , the Major visual impact is worsened because the views to the sea and sense of openness will be lost from Moor Lane with the introduction of the large number of solar panels, substations and security fencing. The iconic views from and towards Cleadon Hills in particular will be radically altered.
Sunderland Council need to change their stance, as under any version of the plan Green Belt is lost but accepting that according to the Durham Coast SSSI and Northumbria Coast SPA; and the Boldon Pastures SSSI the Wildlife Corridor runs along Moor Lane means that the Solar Farm should be sited on the Sunderland Boundary to preserve Bird and wildlife habitats. Please write to South Tyneside Planning and Sunderland Council to object to the Solar Farm plan being moved northwards and curtailing the wildlife corridor.
According to the World Health Organisation, there is a health risk of electromagnetic hypersensitivity associated with living near solar farms characterized by a range of symptoms that are triggered by exposure to electromagnetic radiation fields produced by solar farms. These symptoms can include headaches, anxiety, fatigue, skin rashes, and sleep disturbances.
People who live near solar farms are more likely to experience headaches, dizziness, and nausea in recent studies. There could also be an increased risk of cancer in people living near solar farms. Are SAFC prepared to risk their multimillion pound players and staff working at the Academy of Light experiencing headaches, dizziness, and nausea in order to build a Solar farm?
South Tyneside Council passed an Anti-Slavery motion in September 2024 but despite an acknowledgement that most Solar panels are produced in China using Slave labour, both the council and SAFC have refused to state where any solar panels will be purchased from and their country of origin .
We congratulate SADC on their promotion to the Premiership but that does not mean that we should allow them to destroy wildlife habitats and our heritage with this plan.
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. Please, let us stand united in protecting this piece of our heritage. Sign this petition and join the voice to safeguard South Tyneside's Green Belt https://chng.it/ZjYrrdkq5Y .Download QR Code
Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Please tell friends about the petition and ask them to sign it as well as other members of your household and family.