Large-scale Solar Farms

Thanked the Chair and hon. Members for their contributions on large-scale solar farms. Emphasized that while defending one's constituency is not nimbyism, there needs to be a balance between rapid deployment of solar energy and managing its impact on communities. Stressed the importance of reaching targets like 70 GW by 2035 and discussed the role of brownfield sites in solar development.

Eight of the 10 largest solar sites in England are in Wiltshire. Local authorities should have more power to determine a solar strategy for their area rather than conforming to national rules.

The balance of solar power and wind has let down Germany during cloudless and windy periods. Other countries, including the UK, should be cautious about relying solely on solar power. Critiques the dismissive use of 'nimbyism' towards those protecting their property rights in rural areas where they moved for peace, work opportunities, or a good environment. He argued that the pricing mechanisms for solar farms make tenant farming uneconomical, suggesting foreign investors might prefer to remove tenant farmers in favour of solar farm developments. Davis highlighted the imbalance in current policy towards large-scale solar farms, emphasizing their negative impact on landscapes and local environments. He cited an example of a project covering 3,500 acres, which is equivalent to 2,000 football fields or about 1.5 times the size of Heathrow airport. Davis argued that the national infrastructure rules diminish local decision-making power over these projects, leading to environmental and economic harm for communities near hubs in the national grid. He proposed legislating to incentivise or mandate the use of rooftops for solar panels instead of large-scale ground-mounted farms. My right hon. Friend makes a brilliantly important point on the issue of tax relief, particularly inheritance tax relief, which has led to vast quantities of British countryside being owned for the sole purpose of avoiding inheritance tax, thereby driving financialisation. I am listening with interest to the hon. Gentleman. Does he agree that if we increase the incentive, up to the point of mandating in some cases, for the use of brownfield sites and roofs and so on, that is likely to alter the economics, with people like Elon Musk and others investing in more cost-effective and more easily used photovoltaic cells for that purpose?

Edward Leigh argued against large-scale solar farms, stating they undermine agriculture and the countryside. He highlighted that Lincolnshire is a major food producer and emphasized the need to prioritize agricultural land over solar installations on good farmland. Leigh cited concerns about property value decreases, tourism impacts, and environmental justice issues.

Expressed significant concern over the impact of large-scale solar farms on agricultural land in his constituency, highlighting that 3,600 acres have been allocated or planned for solar installations. Emphasised the negative effects on food security, wildlife, local economy and tourism.

There is a surprise development regarding the debate on solar farms, but no specific details are provided beyond this interjection. The Member raised a question about the lack of national policy on solar farm development, asking whether the Government prefers large-scale or smaller sites for solar installations and suggesting that a clear strategy is needed. He questioned the accuracy of land classification grades 3a and 3b as determined by developers' surveyors, highlighting inconsistencies with Natural England's undefined maps and potential biases. Expressed concerns about large-scale solar farms proposed in North Wiltshire, particularly the Lime Down project. Noted that the application includes 2,000 acres of panels and significant blight on surrounding areas. Highlighted existing overcapacity with eight of England's largest solar farms already within his constituency. There is a perversity here, of course, which is that the further away a site is from the input into the grid, the bigger it has to be. Because Lime Down, the one in my constituency, is 30 miles away from a link into the grid, it has to be at least 2,000 acres, probably more, in order to pay for the connection. He criticized the consultation process for large-scale solar farms, stating that it is not considering community opposition to these projects.

My hon. Friend has done a great service to the House by bringing this debate to our attention, highlighting that compromising food security for energy security is nonsensical. There are three deceptions in large-scale solar developments: dodgy reclassification of land, inclusion of different grades of land in the development, and exclusion of local authorities and people from decision-making processes. The Member for South Holland and the Deepings defended his area from what he described as the 'menace' of large-scale solar farms, emphasizing his commitment to protecting local interests.

She raised concerns about multiple small-scale solar farm applications being submitted in her constituency, urging district councils to have adequate training to assess cumulative impacts and suggesting the Government should pause granting such applications. Another choice needs to be made when it comes to solar, which relates to the use of slave labour in the production of many solar panels and the materials that go into them. We should not have to make a choice between being environmentally friendly and respecting human rights by ensuring that forced labour is not active in supply chains.

Planning guidance for local authorities needs to be interpreted more robustly to prevent excessive development of solar farms in Lincolnshire.

There are applications in my constituency for 1,200 acres and several other smaller-scale applications amounting to 2,000 acres total. The decision-making process regarding land classification needs robustness and integrity to ensure agricultural use.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is reviewing the suitability of best and most versatile land for solar planning applications, emphasising that balance must be achieved in placing solar farms appropriately.

Ms Maclean strongly opposes the development of a solar farm on 287 acres of farmland in her constituency, citing concerns over loss of agricultural land, fire risks, and damage to local green spaces. She notes that there is insufficient funding for brownfield site redevelopment compared to greenfield sites and criticises Labour's stance on housing targets. She asked the Minister when the solar road map will be published.

Small-scale solar farms are generally welcomed by local communities in my constituency, but large-scale developments have caused consternation and environmental concern. The Member for North Bedfordshire highlighted the economic challenge farmers face when comparing solar power pricing with farming, noting that the strike price for solar power has increased from £47 to £61 per megawatt hour. He suggested that if there is an overabundance of solar production capacity compared to demand, there needs to be a more balanced approach to support both industries.

The scale of solar farm applications in my constituency will profoundly impact the landscape and more than 60 villages, changing it for a generation. This is unfair and against the Prime Minister's stance on over-zealous net zero application. Highlights the scale and impact of proposed solar panels, noting that some panels are as high as houses and will be placed near homes, significantly affecting quality of life.

The MP agrees with the lead MP's concerns about large-scale solar farms on prime farmland in Lincolnshire, highlighting that such projects are detrimental to food security and should be discouraged.

Concerned about the impact of solar farms on agricultural land and food security, questioning the economic incentives for farmers and the transparency of planning processes. Advocated for a balanced approach to land use between renewable energy and agriculture. She highlighted concerns about the connection process for solar farms and called for a moratorium on further connections until the issue can be addressed. She referred to NPS EN-3 in her remarks.