Racing at one of UK’s most iconic courses under threat from bizarre government green plan
RACING at one of the UK’s biggest courses is at risk from a solar farm that could spook the horses, the local MP has warned.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is being urged to cancel the Sunnica site to safeguard Newmarket’s future.
Campaigners have warned that the glint and glare from the panels threatens to distract both the horses and their jockeys during events at the nearby Suffolk venue.
The area’s Tory MP Nick Timothy told The Sun the farm’s threat to the livelihoods of those working in the racing industry was a “scandal”.
He added: “Newmarket is the jewel in the British horse racing crown.
“But the Energy Secretary is ignoring the interests and opinions of a beloved national industry.
“This is the reality of Mindless Milibandism.”
Concerns have been dismissed by the Energy Department, which carried out impact assessments.
The planning decision said: “These conclude that reflections from the PV panels to the horse racing industry receptor locations during operation will either not be geometrically possible or will be sufficiently screened.”
The £600million project, which covers 2,500 acres, was first proposed under the Tories and was signed off by Mr Miliband.
A government spokesman said: “The issue of glint and glare was considered thoroughly at the time, and it was concluded there was no evidence it would impact racehorses at Newmarket.”
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