Large-scale Solar Projects Community Engagement 2026-02-10
2026-02-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Southill Solar scheme effectively engages with local communities, providing direct returns to residents and funding local projects. In contrast, the Botley West solar farm faces criticism for insufficient developer engagement and transparency.
What steps is the Minister taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure large-scale solar project developers effectively engage with local communities? Just across my constituency lies Southill Solar, which engages well with locals, pays direct returns to residents, funds projects, and won awards. However, Botley West faces criticism for insufficient developer engagement and transparency.
The Government believes in community benefits for hosting infrastructure. We have consulted on mandatory community benefits, which we will respond to soon. The local power plan ensures that communities can own energy infrastructure and benefit from it.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not specifically commit to meet the MP or address the Botley West concerns directly
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Southill Solar scheme has engaged well with the local community, paying direct returns to residents. However, Botley West faces criticism for insufficient engagement and transparency.
Does the Minister agree that community benefits should be proportionate to the scale of solar development? Will he meet me to discuss better listening to rural communities so clean energy is delivered with their consent?
I have had productive meetings with the hon. Gentleman and will be happy to meet him again. We believe that communities should benefit from hosting infrastructure, and we published the local power plan to ensure these benefits flow into communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not specifically commit to discuss issues related to Botley West or large-scale schemes directly
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A solar farm in Loughborough will power 20,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions. It is also more affordable than natural gas.
Does the Minister agree that when it comes to renewable energy, Members should support projects in their constituencies? The proposed solar farm will power 20,000 homes, reduce emissions, and make bills cheaper because solar is 50% cheaper than natural gas. Will the Minister say 'Yes in my constituency'?
I warmly welcome the hon. Friend's comments about building necessary infrastructure for energy security and highlighting renewables as the cheapest power source, citing recent auctions resulting in 4.9 GW of capacity.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not directly commit to supporting the proposed solar farm or similar projects
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Communities feel threatened by large-scale solar farms and worry about the impact on food security. Campaign groups like Stop Oversized Solar express concern that future deployment could cover an area equivalent to Greater London.
Does the Minister appreciate how communities feel threatened by large-scale solar? The No. 1 complaint concerns the threat to food security, with developers citing a 1% land use figure while real figures suggest covering nearly 2,000 farms capable of producing 2 billion loaves of bread.
This is absurd nonsense. In ambitious deployment scenarios, only 0.4% of UK land would be occupied by solar. The Conservatives' policy would increase bills and turn away investment driving jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not provide accurate figures or address food security concerns directly
Attack
Response accuracy