Residents in Cornwall are rallying against the proposed 106-acre solar farm at Bocaddon Farm, with nearly 500 signatures on a petition urging Cornwall Council to halt the project. Submitted by Elgin Energy, the application aims to establish a solar facility that would provide enough clean energy for approximately 9,700 households and reduce carbon emissions by about 4,979 tonnes annually. Despite these environmental benefits, local concerns are mounting.
Opponents, including resident Richard Kramer, argue that the scale of the project is inappropriate for the area, which encompasses significant historical features, including an Iron Age hill fort and a 400-year-old hedge. Kramer stresses that the size of the solar farm—equivalent to about 69 football pitches—would adversely impact the character and beauty of local landscapes, suggesting that such industrial developments could blight their villages for generations.
Community members express frustration over Elgin Energy’s lack of consultation before advancing their pre-application advice, claiming they are unaware of the intense local opposition. About the project, resident Bruce Milburn remarked that he is not against solar energy; he simply believes the proposed solar farm’s size is excessively disproportionate to the local environment.
The opposition calls for Elgin Energy to reconsider its plans, emphasizing that while the quest for net-zero emissions is vital, it should not come at the expense of Cornwall’s cherished countryside. The fate of this solar farm now lies in the hands of local authorities and the strength of community voices advocating for their landscape.
As the residents of Lanreath and Pelynt continue to voice their concerns, the debate remains ongoing about balancing the urgent need for renewable energy with the preservation of the local environment.
