Potholes

Please click the link below for a guide to reporting potholes supplied by Berden Parish Council

Pothole photos whatthreewords

Roadworks

Stay up to date with local roadworks on the roadworks.org site

Solar Farm Proposals in the area

Link to Protect the Pelhams website – Link Here

Berden Hall Solar FarmPtP have been trawling the media for some good news for our campaign.  Thankfully our efforts have been rewarded, we need your help with it too, but before we raise your spirits, we’ll give you a taste of some of the more depressing headlines we have found…..

The Potential for Ecological Disaster
Researchers in the United States have highlighted the devastating unintended consequences of renewable energy on wildlife.  

Birds, bats and insects mistake glistening solar panels for water and fly into them with fatal consequences.  Giant wind turbines and their associated electricity pylons and cables further increase the mortality rate.  Britain is a haven for migratory birds, and it has been recorded that the avian death rate soars in April and September, which are peak months for the passage of these birds across our island.

Blanket coverage of land by photovoltaic units casts a dense shadow.  This shields the native flora and fauna beneath from sunlight vital for survival, leading to acres of barren land on solar farms.  It is laughable that promoters of renewable energy boast about increased biodiversity of these developments.

‘Land Use Framework’ Consultation
The ‘Land Use Framework’ was released in January, the consultation period will expire in April and the results will be published in July 2025.  The GOV.UK website states that it is : “seeking  views on our vision for land use in England and how to deliver it.  This consultation will inform the development of a land use framework.” This could have a significant impact on the determination of renewable energy planning applications by local authorities and The Planning Inspectorate.

Professor Mike Adler, Chair of the UK Solar Alliance, concludes : “Overall the framework suggests very significant changes in land use and greatly underestimates the changes coming from things such as solar panels on farmland and the increase in bioenergy crops. Suggestions that productivity at existing levels on a vastly reduced land area would seem to be based on a false interpretation of the data. The report fails to mention the Impact on land of population increase not least on needing more food to feed a nation increasing in size.”

We will keep you updated. 

“Nimbys”
Sir Keir Starmer has stated “Nimby blockers” of major infrastructure projects will have fewer chances “to frustrate growth through repeated legal challenges”.  The will include the ‘Judicial Review’ process that PtP used to challenge the Planning Inspectorate’s consent for Berden Hall Solar Farm. 

The government has promised to make 150 major infrastructure project decisions by the next election.

The ‘New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill’ 
This is also known as ‘The Sunshine Bill’ and was debated by MPs in the House of Commons on 17th January. It requires solar panels to be installed on all new homes.   Despite securing 10,000 signatures, the Bill was adjourned to July, which leads us on to…….

HOW YOU CAN HELP :
A new petition follows on from ‘The Sunshine Bill’, it is endorsed by the UK Solar Alliance and CPRE Norfolk, it is entitled :  “Ban large solar schemes on farmland/open countryside and promote solar on roofs”. 

Please sign it NOW by clicking on this link :  

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/703284

Please pass this link on to your family and friends, every vote can make a difference!

 

The gloomy bit …..
Sir Keir Starmer’s “plan for change” has hit the headlines.  One of his six “milestones” covers Energy Security and repeats his desire to decarbonise the UK’s energy needs by 2030.  His government’s spin includes “a very clear message to the nimbys, the regulators, the blockers and bureaucrats”, who he says have “stymied economic growth in the UK”.  He has instructed ministers to draft laws that will “simplify complex environmental regulations” so he can accelerate his “golden era of building” which will include solar farms, wind turbines, Battery Energy Storage Systems and pylons, as well as housing.

Another recent  blow for campaign groups such as Protect the Pelhams is the brand new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which has removed a provision that allowed local authorities to take account of the availability of agricultural land used for food production when considering applications for solar farms.

The UK Solar Alliance …..
As many of you know, Protect the Pelhams is part of the UK Solar Alliance (UKSA).  This is a collaboration of over 120 volunteer-run campaign groups who represent thousands of rural residents across the UK facing inappropriate solar plant developments on greenfield sites. 

In light of Labour’s relentless mission to industrialise the countryside, they have had a rebrand.  Their new slogan is “Better Solar, informing choices for Net Zero”.  This implies an acceptance of the inevitability of renewable developments that our local communities are so familiar with, and aims to take a more proactive part in the planning process.

And now for some better news …..
The ‘New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill’ – also known as the ‘Sunshine Bill’ – would require solar panels to be installed on all new homes.  It has been tabled as a Private Members Bill and will be debated in Parliament on 17th January 2025. Research by the  CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) shows that 60% of the UK’s solar targets could be delivered on rooftops.  We hope that there is broad support for this Bill across the House to allow it to progress to the next stage.

And localy …..
Members of Protect the Pelhams have had meetings with two of our local Parish Councils to discuss what can be done in advance of future renewable developments in the vicinity of the Pelham Sub Station.  We will keep you updated.

 

As previously reported…

As you will be aware the Planning Inspector gave permission for this to go ahead. Our only option to contest this decision is to seek advice from a Barrister to see if there is a viable reason to take this to judicial review. This is going to cost quite a lot of money and may result in being told that there is nothing on which the decision can be contested.

If anyone would like to contribute to this – we would be happy to explore this possibility. We do however, need funds as we are unable to cover this cost. Please get in touch with us at protectthepelhams@outlook.com if you’d like to help.

Devastating news…… We are utterly gutted to report that Berden Hall Solar Farm has been granted consent. The Planning Inspector –  Mr Griffiths – already had a track record of approving planning applications for renewable energy projects, so it was always likely that he would approve this development as well.  There is no doubt his resolve was strengthened by Ed Miliband’s recent decision to grant consent for 3 enormous solar farms, as reported in our previous update. Mr Griffiths took the view that Berden Hall Solar Farm would be a temporary and reversible development (despite the fact that it will remain in place for 40 years). He commented that given the presence of Stocking Pelham Substation, as another major piece of “electrical infrastructure”, the solar farm would not appear incongruous.   Mr Griffiths was satisfied that the ease of access and connection to the grid provided  a compelling reason for the selection of the site, despite the fact that it comprises high quality farm land. He gave considerable weight to what he considered to be the benefits of the scheme, commenting that “it would make a significant contribution to the Government ambitions in relation to low carbon energy (including the targeted five-fold increase in the deployment of solar energy schemes by 2035)”. Whilst he attached great weight to the harm that would be caused to the setting of listed buildings close to the site (including Berden Hall and the Church) he considered that the harm was “clearly and conclusively outweighed by the very considerable public benefits that would flow from the proposal”. He made a point of establishing that he took a completely different approach to that taken by Mr Parker – the Planning Inspector who had rejected Pelham Spring Solar Farm – and stated that his decision “does not necessarily bind him to reaching the same conclusion…it was a different scheme on a different site”. By way of conclusion, Mr Griffiths commented that it is “wholly unrealistic to think that attaining ‘net zero’ can be achieved without some harmful impacts on the landscape, heritage assets, and/or other considerations… if the bar for impacts to be regarded as acceptable is set too high, we are not going to get very far towards attaining ‘net zero’ by 2050.” Clearly, we are extremely disappointed by this decision and will consider carefully whether there are grounds for a challenge.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Greens Farm, East End (Ref : 3/21/0969/FUL)   East Herts Development Management Committee met on 9th July 2025 to determine this planning application.  Representatives from Stocking Pelham Parish Council and Protect the Pelhams, as well as Councillor Geoffrey Williamson (Little Hadham and the Pelhams Ward) gave impassioned speeches on some of the most important concerns, as follows  :    Cumulative impact : This application is one of seven similar developments either approved or submitted for approval within just over a kilometre of the sub-station.  A dog walker who starts at Park Green would encounter all seven developments during a 2 mile circular walk on local roads and footpaths.  We reminded the Councillors that we are in favour of net zero infrastructure, but that it should be reasonably and fairly distributed.     Landscape impact : The existence of this eyesore does not justify further attempts to fundamentally alter the character of the area by introducing more alien infrastructure.   Noise : The “Pelham Hum” from the existing batteries is already a significant problem, construction of this development would significantly exacerbate it. The planning application for a BESS at Crabbs Green was recently refused on these grounds.   Mitigation : the proposed tree and shrub planting would be of limited effectiveness, particularly if it is not maintained adequately.  The Planning Department is unlikely to take enforcement action if shrubs die.   The Developer predictably gave a polished presentation to justify their proposals, and promote their perceived benefits of the development, in terms of contribution to Net Zero, biodiversity, net planning gain, and general greenwash spin.   During the Q & A afterwards, the Councillors raised significant concerns about all the points we had mentioned in our speeches.  In addition there was a rigorous discussion about waste water and the fact that 350 local residents had objected.   The Planning Officer’s summation towards the end of the evening, included:   “…when so few application have been approved so far, “cumulative impact” is not relevant…” “…food security is not a planning issue so cannot therefore be a consideration in this decision..”   The report prepared by the Planning Officer recommended approval.  Therefore, it was always likely that this planning application would be approved.  Ten Councillors supported this recommendation, one Councillor abstained and two voted for the application to be refused.  However, all of the points raised above will be useful to us and to our supporters in relation on the next application, which is very similar, as follows:   Erection of Battery Energy Storage Facility (BESS)at Dellows, Ginns Road, Stocking Pelham (REF: 3/25/0917/FUL)   Notice of this application to East Herts Council was received by Stocking Pelham Parish Council on 14th July.  We will review this asap, and will send out further guidance via Mailchimp.  All comments by members of the public (see above) need to be made by 4th August.  Further information may be found in the following link :   https://publicaccess.eastherts.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SWXG4TGLMVT00   Construction of a solar farm on Land at Maggots End Road, Manuden (REF: UTT/25/1224/FUL)   If you have not already done so, there is still time to object to Low Carbon’s third attempt to obtain planning permission for this enormous solar “farm”.  Please let us know if you need more information.     Thank you for your support, we will keep you updated.

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DOGS AND FOOTPATHS

We have been receiving more complaints about dogs out of control and their owners not clearing up after them on public footpaths and, astonishingly, on other people’s private property. In recent weeks we have had a report of a young Berdenite, and that means a friend or neighbour of all of us, coming indoors from the families own property ‘covered’ in dog waste.

 Please enjoy walking your dog but do make sure that you stick to the legal public paths, or those routes where you know for sure that the owner is happy for you to use them. In the eyes of the law you are trespassing if you step off a public right of way. We are very lucky in Berden: We have a relatively large network of enjoyable legal and permissive paths and, with just a few exceptions, they are all clearly defined through use, so – please – stick to them and keep your dogs under control at all times

There are dog waste bags, provided by your parish council, available by the bus shelter. Please use them and help everybody to enjoy their time out and about in our beautiful countryside.

If you wish to consult the definitive rights of way path, please contact John Burton on 777674.

THANK YOU – BERDEN PARISH COUNCIL

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 Demand Responsive Transport

An Demand Responsive Transport (DaRT) has been introduced in parishes in the North of Essex.

This service allows residents to travel between 0600 and 2000 Monday to Saturday.  It increases the opportunities to travel and improve access to shopping, health appointments, work, school or college.  It can also be used to visit friends and family.

Passengers can travel alone or as a group.  Concessionary Bus pass holders can use the service for free after 0900 Monday to Friday and all day on a Saturday.

 Instead of using fixed routes with fixed stops and times, customers book journeys with the operator in advance and are picked up from an agreed point – often their own home, a bus stop or local place of interest.  To book the DaRT service contact Arrow Taxis on: 01621 874411.

DaRT website 

For more details click here Rural Transport publication May 16

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Rogue Traders notice from Trading Standards

Doorstep/Rogue traders are operating in your area trying to obtain work related to block paved driveways, garden work or tree cutting, roofing or any other household repair or maintenance.

Never agree to have work carried out by traders who knock on your door offering these services and always thoroughly check out leaflets as addresses provided can be false with telephone numbers that stop working if you have a problem with the work. You can also be provided with guarantees that are worthless.

We would always advise residents to consider using one of our Buy With Confidence businesses who have been audited and approved by Trading Standards. The nearest three to your postcode can be found by calling the national consumer helpline on 03454 040506 or
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

We would ask all residents to look out for household repair and maintenance activity at the homes of elderly neighbours, friends or family members.

Residents who do get caught out by doorstep/rogue traders are often too embarrassed to
report it. If you are concerned call the helpline with the information.

Sue Bunney
Trading Standards

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