Click here to object to Lightrock's Beane Valley Solar Farm planning application
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Opposing the Beane Valley Solar Farm and Munches Farm Solar Plant planning applications to protect our landscape is not nimbyism. Our community has a right to oppose them when planning applications for very large power plants covering 1,000 acres of greenbelt countryside are put forward that will have a significantly harmful impact on the community.
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​​​​With over 1,000 objections made to the Beane Valley Solar Farm planning application, the community has made a strong case for a more thoughtful and balanced approach to renewable energy development. The sheer number of objections demonstrates the strength of local feeling. This is a significant proportion of the small rural population, indicating that the opposition is not just from a vocal minority but represents a broad consensus.​
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Lightrock Power Limited planning application at Munches Farm has now been submitted and it is time for our community to rally once more.
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Lightrock Power Ltd has proposed the Westfield Energy Conservation Park, a combined ground mounted solar farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on agricultural land south of the A507 near Cumberlow Green, Clothall, Hertfordshire. The plan includes extensive solar photovoltaic arrays and a containerised battery storage compound, along with associated infrastructure. The site lies in open countryside between the hamlets of Clothall/Cumberlow Green and the town of Baldock. It adjoins the proposed solar farm (the Beane Valley Solar Farm, by a different developer) immediately to the west and together these two projects cover roughly 1,000 acres of rural Hertfordshire.
Lightrock Power’s project is part of a wave of large-scale solar and battery proposals sweeping the region. The company has experience and successes in other areas, but each site is unique. Our strong local resistance in this traditionally rural area means the outcome is far from certain.
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Act now and submit your objection and comments directly to North Herts Council here.
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Please sign the community petition to protect the Beane Valley.
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To make your objection to Lightrock's Solar Farm planning applications click here to object.​
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How to Support the Opposition to Beane Valley Solar and Battery Storage Power Plants
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). 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.
2). 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.
3). 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:
david.woollcombe@eastherts.gov.uk
Cottered Parish Council clerk@cotteredpc.org.uk
Ardeley Parish Council clerkardeleypc@gmail.com
4). 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.
5). 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.
6). 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:
7). ​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.
8). 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) - Lightrock Power Limited
1). Object to the planning application here. Encourage neighbours, friends and family to object (make sure that objections are lodged by all household members - every objection counts).
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.
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Lightrock Power Limited ​Co-Founders
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Chris Sowerbutts
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Tel: 0117 230 5853
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Mobile: +44 (0)7799 064170
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Email: chris@lightrockpower.com
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Benjamin Davies
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Tel: 0117 230 5853
Mobile: +44 (0)7810 438643
Email: ben@lightrockpower.com​
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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:
​6). Lobby our local government officials here is a list of key officials to contact.​
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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