Mallard Pass is a proposed 2,105 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.

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.

Thank you to everyone who came together to take a stand against Mallard Pass and voiced their objection through my letter campaign and Parliamentary petition, which was signed by over 3,000 concerned individuals.

I will officially present the petition to the House of Commons on 19th March 2024, before the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero makes the final decision on whether to approve or reject the solar plant.

 

My concerns are as follows:

  1. 2,238 acres is too large - this would make it over 8 times larger than the current largest solar plant in the UK.
  2. Loss of graded agricultural land - the proposed site for the development consists of 6% grade 2 land, 47% grade 3a land, and 47% grade 3b land. As such, Government guidance is clear that this site is not suitable for solar development.
  3. Evidence of forced labour in Canadian Solar's supply chains - you can read Sheffield Hallam University's new report into Uyghur forced labour in solar supply chains here. The report dedicates 5 pages to Canadian Solar, the primary developer behind the proposed development.
  4. Biodiversity and environmental concerns - in particular for Rutland's rare bird population.
  5. Traffic concerns - especially lorries passing local schools on rural roads.
  6. Flooding risk - several areas affected are already classified as at risk.
  7. Inadequate consultation and poor public engagement by the developers.
  8. Large application for compulsory acquisitions in Essendine.

 

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.

All my best to you and yours -

Alicia Kearns

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Stop the Mallard Pass Solar Plant Development

Mallard Pass is a proposed 2,105 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.

News

Closing Summary for Mallard Pass Solar Plant Submitted

The Planning Inspectorate's Examination of the Mallard Pass solar plant application has now concluded after 6 months. I have submitted my Closing Summary Statement to the Planning Inspectorate setting out why I believe Mallard Pass should not be allowed to go ahead.

Alicia Kearns MP Tables Two Amendments to the Energy Bill

Alicia Kearns MP’s first clause to the Energy Bill would block companies engaged in or benefitting from Uyghur forced labour, such as the Mallard Pass Solar Plant developer Canadian Solar, from building Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in the UK.