Representation by Frederick Jamieson Stephens
- Date submitted
- 4 May 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Large-scale solar farms have transformed the rural landscape, with extensive arrays of solar panels significantly altering its natural character. The addition of security fences and CCTV systems further modifies the traditional boundaries and appearance of these areas. It's important to place considerable emphasis on the conclusions and advice provided by independent Landscape Quality Assessments. Developments of solar farms should align with Local Plan Policies, and not proceed if they conflict with these guidelines. Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and improving our natural, built, and historic environments, which includes utilizing land effectively. Solar farm operators frequently promote projects on high-quality agricultural land, despite guidance notes from their own trade association advising against such practices. This contradicts government agricultural policy, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining productive farmland. Preserving our best land for agricultural use is essential, especially considering that 60% of our food is imported, raising concerns about environmental sustainability. The decreasing amount of arable land in the UK, currently at 14.8 million acres - the lowest since World War 2, is alarming. Moreover, the rate of land taken out of cultivation is nearly 100,000 acres per year, coupled with declining yields and deteriorating land quality due to the impacts of global warming. This diminishes our production potential, making it imperative to avoid further loss of arable land to developments that are unnecessary.