Conservative MP proposes ban on solar farms on top-quality farmland
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins is introducing a private members' bill to prohibit solar farms on prime agricultural land, citing food security and national resilience.
Victoria Atkins, the Shadow Environment Secretary, has moved a private members' bill to ban solar farms on prime agricultural land, arguing that such land should prioritize food production and national resilience. The legislation, formally introduced on June 17, will not be debated again until January 15. Atkins highlighted security worries after HM Revenue & Customs reported that 68% of solar panels imported in 2024 originated from China, up from 61% the previous year.
Current English planning policy already prefers lower-quality farmland for solar developments, yet 52,400 acres host solar arrays as of September 2024, including productive farms. Critics suggest focusing on rooftops, car parks, and less fertile land, noting that landowners can earn up to £120,000 annually from solar leases. The proposal follows local opposition in villages such as Ludborough and follows Labour's approval of the 500-MW Green Hill Solar Farm in Northamptonshire.
