Mallard Pass is a proposed 2,175 acre solar plant, over a fertile collection of fields stretching just north of Stamford and across Eastern Rutland, around the beautiful villages of Essendine, Carlby, Braceborough, Casewick, Belmesthorpe and Ryhall.

It would be eight times the size of the U.K.’s largest solar plant – the 250 acre Shotwick Solar Park in Flintshire. It’s the size of 1,400 football pitches. It’s so large that it can’t be approved by Rutland County Council – it has to be approved by the Government as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

We all want to play our part in achieving Net Zero –  but this scheme would be a disaster for our environment, biodiversity, and our very way of life.

Together with Mallard Pass Action Group and local Councillors, I’m working to convince the Government to take residents' views into account – and stop this development.

You can read more about why we need to stop this development here – and add your name to the petition below.

All my best to you and yours -

Alicia

30th March - Mallard Pass developers pull out of public meeting

Mallard Pass has announced that they will not be sending a representative to the residents' meeting in advance of the second stage of the planning consultation, citing the fact that ‘new information regarding our proposals for Mallard Pass will not be available’.

The meeting will go ahead, as planned, and Alicia Kearns hopes that Mallard Pass will change their mind and send a representative – a seat will be kept free for them.

23rd March – Alicia Kearns calls for sanctions on Canadian Solar

Following revelations that Canadian Solar had shipments seized by the US Government for containing panels built with blood labour from Xinjiang, Alicia Kearns has written to the Foreign Secretary and Business Secretary to request that they seriously consider sanctioning the Mallard Pass developers for their use of slave labour in production of panels.

11th March - Alicia Kearns raises Mallard Pass at Westminster Hall Debate

In a debate on large solar farms in Westminster Hall, Alicia Kearns spoke about the human rights abuses that the developers of Mallard Pass, Canadian Solar, permits.

9th March – Alicia Kearns announces Mallard Pass public meeting on 7th April

Alongside the Mallard Pass Action Group, Alicia Kearns will host a public meeting at Essendine Village Hall on 7th April at 6pm.

This meeting is open to any resident of the Rutland and Melton parliamentary constituency, but spaces are limited. Spaces can be reserved here.

18th February - Alicia Kearns discusses Mallard Pass on BBC East Midlands

Alicia Kearns MP was interviewed by BBC East Midlands for their story about the Mallard Pass solar plant.

14th February - Mallard Pass Petition launched

Alicia Kearns has launched a petition to oppose the proposed Mallard Pass solar plant development.

In addition to the online survey, campaigners have been circulating a paper petition, which will be presented before Parliament.

11th February – Alicia Kearns is interviewed by ITV news about the scale of the proposed solar plant

10th February – Alicia Kearns raises human rights abuses associated with solar panels

In a debate on Taiwan, Alicia Kearns raised the important issue of how the panels that would be the basis of Mallard Pass.

9th February – Alicia Kearns meets DEFRA Secretary George Eustice

Alicia Kearns meets the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, to show him the scale of Mallard Pass, and to reiterate the country’s need to protect our precious agricultural land.

11th January – Alicia Kearns gets confirmation that the views of Rutlanders will be taken into account on Mallard Pass in the House of Commons

7th January – Alicia Kearns visits Mallard Pass site

Alicia Kearns has visited the proposed site of the 2,175-acre Mallard Pass, alongside councillors and members of the Mallard Pass Action Group

16th December – Alicia Kearns writes to developers to oppose Mallard Pass

Alicia Kearns lays out her opposition to the proposed 2,175 acre Mallard Pass solar plant in a letter to Canadian Solar and Windel Energy, developers of Mallard Pass solar plant.