CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed huge solar farm in Inkberrow say the development could have negative impacts on biodiversity.

It comes after the Roundhill Wood Solar Farm (RWSF) opposition group discovered that more than six miles of security fencing are likely to be installed around the 285 acre site.

JBM Solar, the developer behind the solar farm say the fencing is industry standards and ‘is used on solar farms across the country’.

Phil Coathup from the RWSF opposition group said: “Our community values local wildlife and we are concerned that Level 3 fencing could lead to habitat fragmentation and negative impacts on biodiversity.

“Some wildlife species may be physically unable to climb or dig under the fence, preventing them from accessing important habitat areas.

“Of course, the adverse visual and other environmental effects of this type of security fencing are way higher than deer-proof and it appears that the Landscape and Visual Impact and other technical assessments submitted by the applicant have not taken this into account.”

The group also says this type of fencing is more intrusive than the previously proposed deer-proof fences and can ‘severely disrupt the natural movement patterns of wildlife and limit their access to food and water sources’.

Conor McAllister, project manager at JBM Solar, said: “The proposals include carefully designed fencing which is sensitive to biodiversity and habitats.

“This type of fencing consists of wooden posts and wire mesh, which is typical of an agricultural setting and is designed to keep existing ecological corridors open.

“This important renewable energy scheme will retain and enhance existing landscape features and will deliver a biodiversity net gain of over 226% - over 22 times the national requirement.

“Openings in the fencing allow small mammals such as badgers to pass through, supporting the preservation of existing wildlife."