The UK government has announced new measures to protect prime agricultural land from excessive solar development. Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho emphasized that solar farm applications should avoid the best quality farmland and that proposals in areas with numerous applications will be considered together. This decision aims to balance energy security with food security, ensuring that agricultural land remains available for food production. The announcement includes £80 million in funding for the UK fruit and vegetable sector, a draft Food Security Index, and £72 million for the Endemic Diseases Scheme. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, also highlighted plans for more homegrown food to reduce food miles. The decision to delay the approval for the Mallard Pass solar plant until June 13th reflects the government's commitment to reviewing solar applications against the new guidelines. This is particularly relevant for the Smalley and Denby solar farm plans, which are only 500m apart.
UK PM @rishisunak breaks campaign promise to not allow solar panels on prime farmland: The backlash to this seems to have taken the Government by surprise, in part because they naively assumed that rural people were fools who would swallow three whopping half-truths. The first… https://t.co/Qa81EBItXc
NEWS: The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced the decision whether to grant approval for the Mallard Pass solar plant has been delayed until 13th June. I hope the delay gives the Secretary of State time to review the application against the new…
NEWS: The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced that the decision whether to grant approval for the Mallard Pass solar plant has been delayed until 13th June. I hope the delay gives the Secretary of State time to review the application against the…
✍️ 'This solar panel con will destroy our farms', writes @Jamie_Blackett https://t.co/HvR8S79zKc
I welcome these new measures to stop solar developments compromising prime agricultural land. Having stood up in Parliament, met with Energy Ministers & written to solar bosses I'm delighted that Govt has listened to me & my @Conservatives colleagues. https://t.co/puIa6DM9S3 https://t.co/6SwHDObcES
There are concerns some villages in Wiltshire are now "completely surrounded" by solar farms 🔗⬇️ https://t.co/IwoLC4I4ie
Call to spread UK solar farms 'more evenly' https://t.co/r74UVkyLLq
🇬🇧 PM to launch food security index and support British farming https://t.co/XRh6j51dpi
Today’s announcement from Energy Secretary @ClaireCoutinho is very welcome - ensuring our best agricultural land continues to be used food production ⬇️ https://t.co/Mk6JXH41v3
A really important step by @energygovuk. Many people in Bucks have raised serious concerns about farmland being used for solar panels, instead of for agriculture. I've spoken to minister @AndrewBowie_MP to ensure he and his fellow ministers appreciate local strength of feeling https://t.co/dhcXtyPdJQ https://t.co/HPi5sehfDb
V good news - the Govt has announced that solar farm proposals should avoid best quality farmland where possible. Applications close to each other will be considered together - this is particularly relevant for the Smalley and Denby solar farm plans, which are only 500m apart. https://t.co/tpRy8fqIoT
Pleased to have done my bit alongside the @ClaireCoutinho to ensure our energy security does not come at the expense of food security. This however only applies in England. I do wish the SNP would show the same respect for communities in Scotland concerned for land & landscape... https://t.co/0SdKI15IfG
Energy security and food security should co exist effectively, so today @energygovuk have clarified that solar farm applications should avoid the best quality farmland, putting food security and our farmers first. To read @ClaireCoutinho's full statement: https://t.co/jNLPkzjLjQ https://t.co/yFJ4IXjj3M
Huge progress. Will continue to push for all farmland to be protected, but today’s announcements really are welcome in the fight for food security and against solar land grabs on farmland. https://t.co/v0vtrMXAN4
Our energy security must not come at the expense of our food security. Today I’m making clear that solar farm applications should avoid the best quality farmland, and that proposals in areas with lots of applications are considered together. https://t.co/7uMIJw4EOF
After a long campaign making the case for national food security this is great news today from @ClaireCoutinho and @AndrewBowie_MP as the Govt puts in place protections for our agricultural land from excessive solar development by: - Discouraging solar development on agricultural…
🥀 While Plaid Cymru propped up Labour's disastrous Sustainable Farming Scheme, the Welsh Conservatives fought for farmers across Wales. 🚜 We will continue to ensure any changes to the SFS works for the rural industry. 📺 Watch @RishiSunak SLAM Labour and Plaid during #PMQs. https://t.co/1FkmeWWl4O
I see @_RobbieMoore you're virtue signalling for farmers in #FarmToFork, you boast of: -£80M funding for UK fruit & veg sector -Draft Food Security Index unveiled -New regs for fairness in supply chains -£72M for Endemic Diseases Scheme Why is it more profitable to rewild… https://t.co/cR9SdBDcIA
Glad to hear from the Prime Minister plans for more home grown food. Let's get on with cutting the food miles and planting more fruit trees and vegetables.