Lee Anderson intervenes during fellow Reform MP’s speech in the Commons to raise ‘serious’ issue
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The ex-Reform leader gave way for his colleague
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Lee Anderson intervened during Richard Tice’s speech in the Commons to raise a “serious” net zero point.
Tice was discussing the British Government’s commitment to solar projects around the country, which they claim will be capable of powering a significant number of Britain’s homes.
Government ministers tend to have the final say on plans as large solar farms are classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS).
Lee, who is also Reform’s chief whip, was handed the floor by his party’s former leader to make his point.
Richard Tice gave way for Lee Anderson
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“I’m sure my honourable friend is aware of the large battery storage parks that will be required as we use more solar farms”, he said.
“Is he aware of the dangers they pose to the public and the environment?”
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Tice responded: “I’m most grateful to my honourable friend, the member for common sense.
“Most of these solar farms are including these huge battery storage systems which we’ve now learned are very dangerous.
“Three of them have gone up in flames just this year in the United Kingdom. They cannot be put out and you have to let them burn out.
“What happens when they burn? Toxic fumes like hydrogen fluoride and toxins seeping into the ground as we have learned in California, which went up in flames.
Richard Tice said fires in California were a cautionary tale for Britain
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“There are massive dangers to these battery storage systems which nobody is talking about and by the way, no one knows who is responsible for the safety of these systems.”
The amount of farmland being used by solar projects has been criticised, but the Department for Energy and Net Zero has insisted it should not be a concern.
A spokesperson told the BBC: "As of September last year, solar farms covered around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the UK.
"Projects are subject to a rigorous planning process in which the views and interests of the local community and impacts on the local environment, including any impact on amenities, landscapes and land use, are considered."
Lee Anderson said huge solar farms raise a serious threat
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One proposed solar farm in Lincolnshire has been widely criticised by locals.
The site near Navenby would eventually cover an area the size of 1,700 football pitches.
Developers EDF Renewables UK and Luminous Energy said 180,000 homes would be powered and the move will aid the transition to renewable energy.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), dozens of locals raised concerns at the Country Assembly Rooms in Lincoln.
Marc Williams told LDRS: "The community is so concerned about this.
"We usually get two or three people at parish council meetings. Whenever this is on the agenda, 70 or 80 will turn up.
"Everyone's against it, apart from those who will profit."
Conservative councillor Rob Kendrick told the planning inspectors: "The amount of developments are of grave concern to residents.
"Lincolnshire is marketed as the county of big skies, but it will become the county of big solar. That must have a negative impact on lives and employment."