More than 100 residents 'unanimously object' to plans to build solar farm and McDonald's in their Northampton neighbourhood

At a meeting earlier this week, Kingsthorpe residents unofficially voted against plans to build a new solar farm and fast food sites on land just off the Welford Road next to The Windhover pub.

Developers Pegasus Group is planning to submit plans for a solar farm with a capacity of up to 5MW, alongside a roadside facility featuring an EV charging station, a retail unit, and two drive-thru restaurants, reportedly earmarked for a McDonald’s and Starbucks.

A residents meeting, organised by Conservative councillor Sam Rumens (Kingsthorpe North), revealed that the approximately 130 residents in attendance were ‘unanimously’ against the plans.

Cllr Rumens said: “The meeting culminated in a ‘straw poll’ vote on the opinion of the room, split into three parts: For or against the solar farm element; For or against the fast food outlets/charging station; For or against if it turns out to be one application.

“There seemed to be unanimity in the room against all three of the proposals, based on a show of hands…the mood of the room was very clear-cut against all of the proposals.

“Moving ahead, my next intentions are to write to the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and Pegasus themselves to gain more clarity from all parties on what the risks are around developing on this piece of land and also whether this current form of the project is the ‘only game in town.’

“There were a number of representations made from highly informed audience members on the night to explain some of the other flooding and ecological concerns about the proposals, and I think part of the process from our end should be clarifying some of this with the relevant bodies. All in all, I found the meeting very helpful.”

Resident Samuel Benjamin Kilby-Shaw previously said: "When the plans are submitted to West Northants Council, we will have a better idea of exactly what will be built. The solar panels are going to be on stilts and are designed so that they can be flooded and not be damaged, and the roadside facility will be raised to the level of the causeway (which has previously flooded) to avoid the possibility of being flooded. As far as I could gather, it is for a Starbucks and McDonald's. I have my doubts about the whole thing, but I will wait for the full application."

According to a letter from the Pegasus Group to residents, the solar farm will include "mitigation measures such as acoustic fencing and a landscape enhancement scheme," while the roadside facility will also "comprise a landscape enhancement scheme." Official plans have not yet been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council.

The Pegasus Group has not yet responded to this newspaper’s request for comment.