Fair Park solar park plans for Hendra near Mitchell discussed

The public meeting was held in St Erme on Tuesday night

Plans for a 210-acre solar farm in mid-Cornwall have residents worried that they will end up living in a "prison".

More than 100 people met in St Erme on Tuesday to discuss plans for Fair Park, a solar park at Hendra near Mitchell.

Resident Jamie Crossman said the proposed 3m (10ft) high fence around the park "screams of a scene from a prison exercise yard".

The developer said most of it would be deer fencing that "is not intrusive on the landscape".

Carland Action Group held the public meeting to discuss the planning application by Downing Renewable Developments (DRD).

Mr Crossman said the Hendra site was abundant with wildlife and if the solar park was approved, open fields would be fenced in.

Tony Gannon, head of development at DRD, said the predicted biodiversity net gain on the site of 148% would see an improved habitat for wildlife.

'Penned in'

Ken Evans, who runs a business in the heart of the site said: "I don't think we will get any more weddings or holidays because people will be penned in.

"We will be enclosed by a fence - it will feel like living in a zoo rather than open countryside."

Mr Gannon said that palisade fencing would surround the high voltage substation but extensive screening and landscaping would minimise the visual impacts from the site.

The plans for the solar park have been drawn up by Downing Renewable Developments

Nick Dymond farms 600 acres at St Erme and said the loss of arable land would threaten food security.

"Concrete, glass and tarmac don't make great crops," he said.

"We cannot afford to lose farming and the ability to feed ourselves."

'Covered in glass'

Mr Gannon said the solar park would be "beneficial in food security terms" as it would improve soil health, and keep its agricultural use as sheep could graze it.

He added that the majority of the site is not being used for food production and the current landowner has no plans to increase food production on it.

Concerns were raised about three other solar farms planned in the same area.

Opponents said the solar panels at all four parks could cover 900 acres over a five-mile (8km) radius.

Cornwall councillor Steve Arthur urged people not to give up on protesting, saying: "These are monstrosities that need to be stopped.

"We don't want Cornwall covered in glass."

Mr Gannon pointed to Cornwall Council's climate change action plan which makes a commitment to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030.

He added that a large area of the site was previously approved for construction of a solar farm.

The application could come before a planning committee in May.