Conservative MP pushes private members' bill to bar large solar farms on top farmland
Victoria Atkins announced a private members' bill that would prohibit mega-solar projects on Britain’s most productive agricultural land.
During the Conservative conference, Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins revealed she has secured a slot in the private members' ballot to introduce a bill banning "solar estates" on prime agricultural land. She argued that while solar power is essential for tackling climate change, it must be sited appropriately to protect food security. CPRE research indicates that 59% of England’s largest operational solar farms occupy productive farmland, with a notable cluster in eastern regions like North and East Yorkshire.
The government recently granted permission for a massive solar development the size of Durham in the East Riding, despite community objections. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also moved to limit legal challenges to such projects, except in very narrow cases. The solar industry, represented by Solar Energy UK, contends that these farms cover less than 0.1% of the UK and have minimal impact on food production.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCenter coverage explores agrivoltaics as a possible way for farming and solar power to coexist, while right-leaning coverage stresses the loss of productive farmland from large solar farms and promotes legislative bans.
CENTER
Presents agrivoltaics as a balanced, innovative approach that could protect crops and boost farm income while generating renewable energy.
RIGHT
Portrays large solar farms as a threat to prime agricultural land and food security, urging restrictions or bans on such developments.
The right emphasises
- large solar farms occupy productive farmland, often on the best and most versatile soil
- proposed legislation would bar "solar estates" on prime agricultural land to protect food security
- specific examples cite massive projects approved despite community objections and long-term loss of arable land
