RESIDENTS in Long Sutton are calling for a public meeting because they claim there has not been enough opportunity to voice their concerns about a new housing development.
They are worried about the impact on their own homes of plans for wind turbines and solar panels in a proposed development of 87 eco homes on the Butterfly Park site.
Plans for Sutton Park were revealed in May when it was announced it was no longer financially viable for the Butterfly Park to remain open in the current economic climate.
A group of residents met on Friday ahead of online consultation closing on Tuesday, but it has now been extended to July 3.
Paul Reeve, of Little London, said: “All of the 16 residents who attended the meeting strongly opposed the plan. We want a proper public meeting to discuss our concerns. All we have had is a leaflet drop.”
Mr Reeve (56) said concerns include increased traffic, impact of the solar park, reflection of solar panels, loss of Green Belt land, flood risk and the effect of the development on the bat population in the area.
He said: “My wife, Monica, has been asked to do a survey on the bat population around our home. There is already a solar park next to the development and more planned – we don’t want any more. We plan to get up a petition and call for a full public meeting.”
Butterfly Park director Peter Smeaton said: “We are aware there is a group wishing for a meeting. However, we have conducted a public consultation.
“We took the decision to do a leaflet drop in the area and discuss plans with the public that way because it is more personal. The decision to do this was to stop what happened at our last public meeting, which was hijacked by two or three antagonists,
“We had a positive response to the development from the people we spoke to. It has also been widely publicised.
“As for the wind turbines, they are small micro generators – we are not proposing a big windfarm. However, if there are still concerns the door of Search Architects in Long Sutton is always open.”
n“Hobbit house” on the market – page 11.