Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Cleve Hill Solar Park

10 December 2024 · 4 other contributors · 4,659 words

Opened by Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent

Responding minister: Kerry McCarthy

ClimateEnergyEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Helen Whately raised concerns about cleve hill solar park in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Helen Whately expressed concerns about the safety risks and environmental impacts of the Cleve Hill Solar Park.
  • Whately asked the Minister to clarify the inclusion of large-scale battery storage systems in environmental permitting regulations.
  • The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero committed to ensuring communities benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure.

Key requests to Government

Whately asks the Minister to clarify whether large-scale battery storage systems will be included in environmental permitting regulations and when consultations on this will take place. She seeks assurance about the safety measures and inspection processes for Cleve Hill's installation, as well as commitments to address community concerns regarding damage and compensation.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent

Helen Whately is concerned about the impact of Cleve Hill Solar Park on her constituency. The solar park, which will cover over 700 acres with approximately 1 million solar panels, poses significant safety risks due to a large-scale battery installation capable of up to 700 MWh capacity. There have been more than 65 fires and explosions reported in similar systems globally, raising concerns about toxic fumes and water contamination. She also highlights the disruption caused by construction traffic and damage to local homes and infrastructure. Furthermore, she points out that there is no legal requirement for compensation or community contributions despite a lack of local benefits. The hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent expressed concern about the impact of the Cleve Hill solar park on her constituents, highlighting issues related to views, biodiversity, birds, wetlands, disruption during construction, battery safety, and environmental impacts. She mentioned the importance of engaging with local communities before any decisions are made.

Other contributors (4)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Congratulates the hon. Lady on securing the debate, highlighting road safety and wear and tear issues caused by heavy goods vehicle traffic in quarries within his constituency, asking if similar concerns apply to her constituency and if communication has been established with local communities. Jim Shannon referred to the impact of construction on local residents in Graveney, highlighting ongoing traffic issues and the need for mitigation measures. He also expressed concern over potential long-term damage to community infrastructure.

  • Karl Mathieson SNP Edinburgh Eastern

    Mr Mathieson highlighted the importance of renewable energy projects such as Cleve Hill Solar Park in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. He also questioned why there has been a delay in the project's progress.

  • Paula Barker Con Bury South

    Mrs Barker acknowledged the potential of solar power but raised concerns about the impact on local communities, particularly regarding employment and environmental impacts. She asked for more transparency from developers in communicating with residents.

  • Sojan Joseph Lab Ashford

    Raises genuine concerns about fire risks from large batteries at solar farms planned for rural areas where emergency services may have difficulty accessing. Asks the hon. Lady whether local concerns need to be addressed before planning permission is approved.

Government Response

Kerry McCarthy

The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Kerry McCarthy, reassured the House that all local impacts were considered in the planning process and committed to ensuring communities benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure. She noted that solar is an essential part of the UK's energy mix and highlighted the Government's work through the solar taskforce to increase deployment. The Minister explained the robust planning process for large-scale projects, including community engagement and environmental statements. She addressed concerns about battery safety by referencing health and safety regulations and ongoing governance group efforts. Regarding land use, she assured that food security is prioritised and only a small portion of agricultural land would be used for solar farms. Community benefits were also discussed, with the Government considering various models to ensure local communities benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure.

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