March 2022

7 Buckden Roundabout March 2022 to a new and dangerous level, imperilling a large number of homes, as well as local infrastructure. With the growing risk of flooding brought about by climate change, it would be short - sighted to solve one environmental challenge, only to create another by choosing the wrong site. Aside from this, these fields are adjacent to the river and public footpaths and are popular for walking, dog walking, exercis- ing, bird watching and fishing. They in- clude over a mile of the Ouse Valley Way and are one of the last open green spaces in the area where families can easily ac- cess an open space of natural beauty and engage with the environment. They are crucial resources for the community and helped with our health and wellbeing dur- ing the pandemic. They continue to do so. These wonderful public pathways would be overshadowed by 40,000 panels at a height of 10 feet, a high security fence and the presence of CCTV. It is unfortunate when a landowner puts an environmentally unsuitable site up for such a use. If it proceeds, it will directly and negatively impact the lives of resi- dents in the Parish and beyond. Further- more, it disregards the Buckden Neigh- bourhood Plan, which was approved by residents and adopted by Huntingdon DC as recently as May 2021. The importance of green energy sources as part of a strat- egy to tackle climate change, should not make it easy for a landowner to profit from any ill - conceived development that detrimentally impacts the environment and adversely affects surrounding com- munities. There are sites in the area that are not a flood plain, not adjacent to the river and not part of the Ouse Valley Way and other popular public footpaths. Surely these alternatives should be considered for the intended purpose of an industrial solar plant. With the stakes so high for the local community, let ’ s hope that this unsuitable site is not approved for such a use. This opinion piece was provided by Space for Our River . They can be contacted at: spaceforourriver@gmail.com www.spaceforourriver.info The opinions expressed in Opinion Pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the Roundabout. Alternative views are wel- come. ( Continued from page 6) Field next to the river and opposite the Offords - on the Ouse Valley Way Field on Mill Road opposite Buckden Marina entrance - on the Ouse Valley Way Field next to the river and opposite the Offords - on the Ouse Valley Way Village News