Newcastle Solar Farm Backlash

Plans to build a new solar farm on a green belt patch of land in the west of Newcastle have sparked “outrage and dismay”.

Transcript

00:00Northumberland Estates, the Duke of Northumberland's development arm, has proposed using a field

00:05north of Hospital Lane for the solar park, which would generate enough energy to power

00:08approximately 8,795 homes annually over the next 40 years. However, the project has met

00:15strong opposition from the local community. Residents, particularly in Walbottle, have

00:21expressed outrage at the loss of green space, which they view as an important part of their

00:26One local, Geoff Brydon, criticised the plan as ridiculous, noting that it would destroy a

00:30field that families and dog walkers have used for years. He also raised concerns about the

00:35perceived inconsistency of the proposal, pointing out that the residents had previously been told

00:39they could not install solar panels on their homes due to preservation agreements in the area.

00:46A spokesperson from the Walbottle Green Space Group echoed these concerns,

00:49expressing dismay that such proposals would be considered in a historically significant

00:54rural village with conservation value. Local opposition has been voiced strongly.

01:01Northumberland Estates, however, has defended the proposal, describing the land as low-grade

01:06agricultural land that had been in arable use for at least 20 years. The company emphasised

01:12that the field is not within a local conservation area, nor does it have any specific recreational

01:16use. To address concerns about the environment, the company has committed to enhancing the site

01:21with native hedgerows, tree planting and grasslands. They also pledged to expand

01:27and improve the footpath network, providing residents with greater access to the area.

01:34Despite these reassurances, local residents remain concerned,

01:37and the matter is likely to continue generating debate.