Since the formation of the Woodham Walter Protection Group (WWPG) in response to Lightsource BP's proposed 258-acre solar development, our committee and volunteers have met every 2 to 3 weeks to maintain a rigorous, proactive campaign.
Significant progress has been made to ensure the community is strongly represented, with several core activities currently underway:
- National Advocacy: Representatives from WWPG are set to attend the upcoming parliamentary Solar Summit on 26th October. This will provide vital national-level insights to help protect our landscape and ensure our village's concerns are recognised in wider political discussions.
- Political Engagement: We have successfully made and maintained vital contact with our Members of Parliament, local government representatives, and local parish councils to ensure sustained pressure and awareness at every tier of government.
- Expert Consultation: We have identified and engaged a sector-specific legal expert and have continued to work closely with a planning consultant who is well-versed in these particular matters, ensuring any future technical objections are robust.
- Environmental Safeguards: We have successfully applied Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) on a number of beautiful trees in the immediate area of the potentially proposed site, securing some immediate legal protection for our landscape.
- Community Outreach: We have created, coordinated, and distributed over 500 flyers across the area, ensuring our neighbours remain fully informed and engaged.
- Environmental Documentation: We are in the process of establishing a village wildlife spotters database to systematically record local biodiversity, creating a robust, evidential baseline to protect our local ecosystem.
- Strategic Restructuring: To improve our campaign's effectiveness and expediency, we are forming specific working groups to delegate tasks and focus our collective expertise.
- Financial Foundations: In preparation for the likely huge costs to fight any planning application, we will need substantial funds. We have secured a specific bank account tailored for community pressure groups, ensuring we are fully prepared for fundraising activity the moment the planning application drops.
What happens next and how you can help?
Our focus is entirely on strategic readiness. If the planning application is submitted as feared, we will immediately launch a crowdfunding campaign utilising our newly established community bank account to fund professional planning consultations.
How you can help right now:
- Keep an eye out for local wildlife, and prepare to contribute your sightings to our database.
- Ensure you are registered on our website to receive immediate notifications the moment the application is officially submitted.
