It is crucial for our community to stay proactive in opposing these developments.

 

Here are several strategies we can all take part in to ensure the voice of the community is resonated:

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With two solar farm planning applications running alongside each other this can get confusing, but stick with us.

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1). Beane Valley Solar Farm Planning Application

 

1). Object to the planning application, click here.

2). Please use the Contact Us option on this website to enable us to keep you informed on the progress of the planning application, community outreach events and initiatives.

3). It is important that we can present a strong body of resistance to this planning application by way of a petition. Please sign the online community petition to protect the Beane Valley, most importantly please share the petition link with your friends and family. 

4). Lobby our local government officials, we have time to show our passion. Personal letters, emails, and phone calls can help highlight the community’s strong opposition to the project.  - some suggested contact:

MP for North East Herts, Chris Hinchliff  chris.hinchliff.mp@parliament.uk

County Councillor for East Herts, Ken Cofton ken.crofton@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Chairman of East Herts Council, Calvin Horner calvin.horner@eastherts.gov.uk

East Herts  - Head of Planning & Building Control, Sara Saunders sara.saunders@eastherts.gov.uk

Local councillors in whose wards the development will be built:

aubrey.holt@eastherts.gov.uk

david.woollcombe@eastherts.gov.uk

vicky.burt@eastherts.gov.u

sue.nicholls@eastherts.gov.uk

Cottered Parish Council  clerk@cotteredpc.org.uk

Ardeley Parish Council clerkardeleypc@gmail.com

5). Help spread the fight and create awareness by distributing and displaying the Opposition Leaflets. We are distributing our leaflets across the local community, but if you have not got a copy, take a closer look, by downloading the pdf now.

6). Stay informed and connected - staying connected ensures we are united and informed about the latest developments. This website will be updated with all the developments and news.

7). Utilise social media platforms - raise awareness by using social media platforms and community boards. Share information about your story, post your photos, concerns and the potential negative impacts of the solar farm on the local landscape, wildlife, and heritage sites. You will find us at:

• Instagram

• X (Twitter)

• Facebook.

8). ​Our community will continue to work closely with the CPRE and their campaign for rural countryside in East Hertfordshire to enhance our efforts and bring more attention to our cause. Consider supporting CPRE Hertfordshire. They are a membership charity and it’s easy and quick to join online.

9). Fundraising - our community is raising funds to support the campaign against the Beane Valley Solar Farm planning applications. Your contributions will go towards essential costs such as community outreach efforts, environmental impact assessments and legal fees. Every donation, no matter how small, helps protect the Beane Valley.

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2). Munches Farm (Westfield Energy Conservation Park)

1). Lightrock's community consultation, please attend these events to ensure your voice is heard:

• Webinar - 6pm-7pm, Tuesday 25th March 2025, sign up at: www.westfieldenergyconservationpark.com

• Public Exhibition - 3pm-7pm, Tuesday 18th March 2025, Rushden Village Hall, Church End, Rushden, SG9 0SQ

• Online Survey - details to be confirmed.

​2). Contact the owners of Lightrock Power Limited to express your concerns about what their solar development ambitions will have on our community. "As a member of the local community, I am deeply invested in the preservation of our environment and the well-being of our community. While I appreciate the importance of renewable energy and the role it plays in combating climate change, I believe that you have misjudged the proposed location for this solar farm. 

• Lightrock Power Limited ​Co-Founders 

  • Chris Sowerbutts

    • Tel: 0117 230 5853

    • Mobile: +44 (0)7799 064170

    • Email: chris@lightrockpower.com

  • Benjamin Davies

    • Tel: 0117 230 5853
      Mobile: +44 (0)7810 438643
      Email: ben@lightrockpower.com​

3). It is important that we can present a strong body of resistance to this planning application by way of a petition. Please sign the online community petition to protect the Beane Valley, most importantly please share the petition link with your friends and family. 

​4). Please use the Contact Us option on the this website to enable us to keep you informed on the progress of the planning application, community outreach events and initiatives. Join the community.

5). Post your concerns and follow us at:

• Instagram

• X (Twitter)

• Facebook.

​6). Lobby our local government officials, our community volunteers are working hard to build out this list, because this is a different local authority than Beane Valley (North Hertfordshire District Council) updates to follow.​

7). Fundraising - our community is raising funds to support the campaign against the Beane Valley Solar Farm planning applications. Your contributions will go towards essential costs such as community outreach efforts, environmental impact assessments and legal fees. Every donation, no matter how small, helps protect the Beane Valley.

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Join Us on JustGiving.

By staying organised, informed, and proactive, the Beane Valley community can continue to resist the planning applications success and protect our cherished landscape. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that renewable energy projects are implemented in a way that respects our environment and community values.​​

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