Solar farm is risk to parachutists, says councillor

Wessex Solar Energy has applied to install 40,000 solar panels on farmland

A proposed 25-hectare (62-acre) solar farm could spell "serious trouble" for parachutists if the government allows it to be built near an airfield, a councillor said.

Steve McAdam, an independent member on Huntingdonshire District Council, said plans to install 40,000 panels close to Haddon, near Peterborough, could prove hazardous to users at nearby Sibson Aerodrome.

Earlier this week the council's planning committee unanimously agreed to oppose the site, ahead of a final decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

In its plans, Wessex Solar Energy said "full consideration" had been given to aviation safety.

McAdam said he parachuted as a hobby before his retirement, including while serving with the RAF in Singapore in 1970.

He said he was concerned about the plans "as a former parachutist", because the idea of having to perform an emergency landing over a solar farm was "terrifying".

Sibson Aerodrome, which is home to organisations including the UK Parachuting and Skydiving Centre and Peterborough Flying School, is situated about five miles (8km) north of the proposed solar farm.

"If you landed accidentally in the middle of a solar farm, you could do serious damage to yourself," McAdam said.

"When you come down on a parachute, you're travelling at around 15 feet per second. You couldn't do a parachute landing roll or anything like that in the middle of a solar farm."

McAdam added that parachutes could be controlled with steering toggles, but sudden changes in wind direction could put people in "serious trouble".

Steve McAdam said he was concerned parachutists could be injured if forced to land over a solar farm

Peterborough Flying School has objected to the proposal on the basis of glint and glare, as well as possibly affecting emergency landings following aircraft engine failure.

The UK Parachuting and Skydiving Centre has been approached for comment.

An initial plan to build 65,000 panels was rejected by the Planning Inspectorate in November, with it stating in its conclusion that there was "insufficient demonstration that the proposal would cause no harm to the safe functioning of aircraft".

However, the latest planning documents submitted on behalf of Wessex Solar Energy said "full consideration" had been given to aviation safety, including carrying out glint and glare assessments.

The company said its plans would "make a significant contribution to the fight against the emission of greenhouse gases", with the development being able to power 7,600 homes.