Suez Solar Farm
- scaldwellvillage
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Many of the villagers who responded to the planning application for the new solar farm on the edge of Scaldwell commented on the fire risk. This is not a theoretical risk - there were at least 3 battery fires in 2025 (for some reason, the government doesn't keep a register of such incidents!)
The applicants have submitted a new version of their Outline Battery Safety Management Plan. This is not a full plan but rather a description of what they will take into account and some outline principles for when they produce the proper Battery Safety Management Plan. But they will only do that once they have received planning permission to proceed. See here for the link:
If you look under supporting documents, and then statements and assessments, you'll see a link to "Pdas Appendix 6 9 Obsmp Jan2026(1)", dated 29th January.
Given our proximity to the site, this is a concern for all of us. a report last year (by a retired Oxford engineering professor, Peter Dobson) stated that “During a thermal runaway incident many toxic and harmful gaseous and particulate emissions are released, usually requiring evacuation of surrounding areas".
The Parish Council is on the case and has submitted a strong objection to this planning application.
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