As you know, I secured a debate in Parliament on the impact of Cleve Hill Solar Park on communities in Faversham and Mid Kent.
After my debate, I followed-up with the Secretary of State for a clearer answer on who it is exactly that will be inspecting the batteries before they are switched on. Scroll down to read my letter to the Secretary of State and the Minister's response to my letter.
The Minister names four organisations with presumably shared responsibility for the safety of the batteries. To me, this appears to dodge the question. Still, I’ve written again to the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency – who are named – for a clear outline of the necessary steps they will take to ensure the safety of the batteries before they are switched on.
I am also pushing for a meeting with Ministers so that I may pin them down on a clearer answer, such as whether the responsibility is shared equally between the four organisations, among other things.
We cannot wait for an incident to happen with the batteries, and retrospectively determine who was ultimately responsible. I want a clear name for the person or organisation whose responsibility it is to make sure the batteries are totally safe before the switch on. We know the type of batteries used are difficult to extinguish with standard firefighting methods and local concerns must be taken seriously.
