Lightrock Power Appoints Counter Context to Manage Community Engagement

12.03.2025 – In a significant move to bolster their community consultation programme, Lightrock Power has appointed Counter Context, a specialist communications and public affairs company, to manage their community consultation efforts.

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The developers pre-application community consultation will run from the 25th February - 28th March 2025.

East Herts Landscape Office Objects to RES Beane Valley Solar Farm Planning Application

25.02.2025 – The East Herts Landscape Office has raised objections to the planning application for the RES Beane Valley Solar Farm. They stated that “the proposals are not landscape-led and give rise to significant adverse landscape and visual effects. The proposed landscape scheme is not deemed sufficient to deliver the most effective landscape or visual mitigation, or enhancement of the watercourses, for the duration of the development or beyond.”

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The objection further noted, “It is appreciated that the proposed development is ‘temporary,’ however, its duration of 40 years is considered a substantial portion of a generation’s experience.”

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In their objection, the East Herts Landscape Office emphasised, “Overall, the proposed development is considered to have a significant adverse visual effect. There is concern that due to the elevated and sloping nature of the site, boundary planting only provides partial screening to the foreground, and the array remains visible in the mid-background.”

Westfield Energy Conservation Park, Lightrock Power Limited Announce Event Dates for Pre-application Community Consultation for their  Munches Farm Solar Plant

24th February 2025 - The developers pre-application community consultation will run from the 25th February - 28th March 2025 including:

• Webinar - 6pm-7pm, Tuesday 25th March 2025, sign up at: www.westfieldenergyconservationpark.com

• Public exhibition - 3pm-7pm, Tuesday 18th March 2025, Rushden Village Hall, Church End, Rushden, SG9 0SQ

• Online Survey - details to be confirmed.

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Lightrock are working towards a planning application submission, for their Westfield Energy Conservation Park, Cumberlow Green, to North Hertfordshire District Council by spring 2025.​​​

Lightrock Power Limited Announce Pre-application Community Consultation Dates for the Munches Farm Solar Plant Planning Application

15th February 2025 - The developers pre-application community consultation will run from the 25th February - 28th March 2025.

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The developers are engaging with North Hertfordshire District Council to understand what environmental surveys they will required Lightrock Power Limited to undertake.

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Ahead of their consultation launch Lightrock Power Limited are writing to elected officials, parish councils, nearby residents and relevant organisations representing the local communities. ​​

Local Residents Rally Against Beane Valley Solar Farm: A Community’s Voice

15th February 2025 - In the picturesque countryside of rural Hertfordshire, a significant movement has emerged in response to the proposed Beane Valley Solar Farm. The planning application submitted to East Herts Council has sparked a wave of objections, with over 1,000 residents voicing their concerns. This level of opposition is remarkable, especially considering the small nature of the community.

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Many residents feel that the cost to their local environment and way of life is too high. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), local councils, and Member of Parliament have all backed the residents’ objections, highlighting the widespread concern.

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Key Concerns

1. Residents are deeply worried about the visual impact of the solar farm on the rural landscape. The area is known for its natural beauty, and many fear that the development will mar the scenic views and disrupt the local ecosystem.

2. The proposed site is currently used for agriculture, and opponents argue that taking this land out of food production is not a sustainable solution. They believe that solar panels should be installed on brownfield sites or rooftops instead.

3. There are concerns about the potential harm to local wildlife. The area is home to various species, a wild deer herd and the construction and operation of the solar farm could disrupt their habitats.

4. Community Voice - the sheer number of objections—over 1,000—demonstrates the strength of local feeling. This is a significant proportion of the small rural population, indicating that the opposition is not just from a vocal minority but represents a broad consensus.

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Support from CPRE and Local Authorities

The CPRE has been a vocal supporter of the residents’ campaign, emphasising the need to balance renewable energy development with the preservation of rural landscapes. Local parish councils and the area’s MP have also lent their support, arguing that the community’s concerns must be taken into account.

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A Call for Sustainable Solutions

While the opposition to the Beane Valley Solar Farm is strong, it is not against renewable energy per se. Many residents acknowledge the importance of transitioning to sustainable energy sources but believe that it must be done in a way that does not compromise the integrity of rural areas. They advocate for more thoughtful planning that considers alternative sites and methods.

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The response to the Beane Valley Solar Farm planning application is a powerful example of a community coming together to protect its environment and way of life. The magnitude of the objections underscores the importance of considering local voices in planning decisions. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how East Herts Council will respond to this unprecedented level of community engagement.

Daily Mail - Revealed: How China has been allowed to takeover Britain's energy industry in the name of Ed Miliband's Net Zero dream - as astonished experts warn of the chilling impact it could have on our national security

14th February 2025 - UK has gone with a begging bowl to Beijing as Ed Miliband seeks its aid to propel our transition to ‘a net-zero future’ and we’ve increasingly become a dumping ground for cheap Chinese green-technology goods.

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Today, however, a Daily Mail investigation reveals the true extent of the Chinese chokehold on the UK renewables sector.

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In a comprehensive audit of Beijing’s creeping infiltration of our energy industry, the newspaper has found Chinese firms are now linked to around a third of all offshore wind projects in the UK, worth a total of £56 billion.

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And, in an ominous sign for our national security, four of the companies have been placed on a Pentagon blacklist for allegedly working with the Chinese military.

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The UK government has paid offshore wind farms with Chinese shareholders a total of £270 million to turn off their turbines because of a lack of capacity on the National Grid, according to data shared with the Mail by the Renewable Energy Foundation. And all this before we even get to the solar industry and its slave labour problem. Beijing’s grip on solar is unavoidable, but its stranglehold on Britain is almost total.

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At least half a dozen Beijing-backed firms singled out for their links to human rights abuses have extensive solar power portfolios in Britain.

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In response to the Mail’s findings, Luke de Pulford, chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, warned: ‘This degree of dependency on a totalitarian state which wants to reshape the world order in its own image is utter madness.’

BBC News - Concerns Over Battery Energy Storage Fire Risks

14th February 2025 - Firefighters should be consulted more over planned battery energy storage (BES) sites because of the risks of fire and explosion as well as electrical hazards reports the BBC.  Planning applications for the storage facilities are becoming increasingly common as part of the drive towards net zero. Some developers were not engaging with the fire service during the planning process.​

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According to the fire service's community risk management plan, battery energy storage systems present "significant risks" to fire services because of the potential for fire and explosion, and the presence of '"complex electrical hazards".

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The fire and crime commissioner said: "There are a tremendous amount of planning applications going in for battery storage and photovoltaic energy generation. It does raise concerns"

Aston Parish Council Object to the RES Beane Valley Solar Farm Planning Application

11th February 2025 - Aston Parish Council objection to the planning application states "They object on the grounds of visual impact on the surrounding area and the impact the site fencing would have on restricting the natural movement of wildlife. We also disagree with solar farms on prime ARABLE land. Land like
this should not be used until every home and factory roof in the Country has a solar panel on it."

Farmers Cashout Due to Labour Party Assault

10th February 2025 - The Labour governments changes to inheritance tax on farmers have significantly influenced farmers’ decisions to release their land for solar farm development.

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The introduction of a 20% inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million, effective from April 2026, has created a “chilling effect” on traditional farming and nature recovery schemes.

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Farmers are now more inclined to lease their land for solar farms as a way to secure financial stability and avoid the hefty tax burden. Solar farms offer a lucrative alternative, providing a steady income stream that can help offset the potential tax liabilities. This shift is driven by the need to ensure the financial viability of their estates and to manage the tax implications effectively.

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Can you blame them?

The Debate Between Solar Power and Farming Security

8th February 2025 -The debate between solar power and farming security in the UK is complex and multifaceted. Both are crucial for the country’s future, and finding a balance is essential.

Solar Power

Solar power is a key component of the UK’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It provides a clean, renewable source of energy that can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. The government aims to significantly increase solar capacity, with plans to quadruple solar deployment by 2035.

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Farming Security

On the other hand, food security is equally important. The UK needs to ensure that it can produce enough food to meet the needs of its population, especially in the face of global geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Protecting the best agricultural land for food production is a priority.

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Balancing Both Needs

The government has emphasised that solar projects should be developed on brownfield sites, contaminated land, industrial land, and lower-quality agricultural land to avoid compromising food security. This approach aims to support renewable energy goals while preserving valuable farmland.

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Ultimately, the UK needs both solar power and farming security. Thoughtful planning and collaboration can help achieve a balance, ensuring that renewable energy projects do not undermine the country’s ability to produce food. By prioritising the use of less productive land for solar farms, the UK can work towards a sustainable and secure future.

Ed Miliband and the Controversy Over Farm Planning

5th February - Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Secretary, has recently come under fire for his decisions regarding farm planning and countryside management. His approval of large-scale solar farms has sparked significant debate, with critics accusing him of “trashing the countryside” and prioritising political donors over local communities.

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The Controversial Solar Farms

One of the most contentious issues is the approval of the Heckington Fen Solar Park, a 524-hectare solar farm in Lincolnshire, owned by Dale Vince’s green energy company, Ecotricity. Vince, a prominent Labour donor, has been at the centre of this controversy, with accusations that Miliband’s decision was influenced by Vince’s financial contributions to the party. Dale Vince, the owner of Ecotricity, has donated a substantial amount to the Labour Party. His total contributions have reached £5 million.

Local residents and councillors have expressed strong opposition to the project, fearing the industrialisation of valuable farmland and the impact on the rural landscape. Critics argue that these developments benefit only the businesses behind them, rather than the local communities.

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Accusations of Rule-Breaking

Miliband has also been accused of breaking ministerial rules by approving the solar farm plans. MPs have called for an investigation into whether Miliband’s decision violated the ministerial code, given the significant donations from Vince to the Labour Party. This has raised questions about transparency and the influence of political donations on government decisions.

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Impact on Renewable Energy Projects
The controversy has also highlighted the broader debate over the influence of political donations on government decisions. Critics argue that Vince’s donations have led to favorable treatment for his renewable energy projects, while supporters claim that his contributions are aimed at promoting green energy and sustainability.

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The Broader Impact on the Countryside

Beyond the specific case of the Heckington Fen Solar Park, Miliband’s broader plans for renewable energy infrastructure have also faced criticism. His proposals for extensive new power cables and electricity pylons to meet the government’s clean power targets by 2030 have been labelled as "net zero pylon madness". These plans involve the construction of up to 370,000 miles of new power cables and thousands of extra pylons, which opponents argue will further disrupt rural areas.

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Ed Miliband’s approach to farm planning and countryside management has ignited a heated debate. While his supporters argue that these measures are necessary for achieving the UK’s renewable energy goals, critics contend that they come at too high a cost to the countryside and local communities. The controversy highlights the complex balance between environmental sustainability and preserving rural landscapes.

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Is Ed Miliband a Country Boy?

Ed Miliband is not typically considered a “country boy.” He was born and raised in London, and his background is more urban than rural. He attended state schools in North London and later studied at Oxford University and the London School of Economics. His upbringing and education were quite different from a traditional countryside lifestyle.

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However, his policies and decisions, especially regarding renewable energy and farm planning, have had significant impacts on rural areas, which might be why you’re associating him with the countryside.

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What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think the push for renewable energy justifies the impact on the countryside?

Flood Risk - Environmental Agency Object to the Beane Valley Solar Farm and Recommend the Planning Permission is Refused

28th  January 2025 - The Environment Agency objection to the planning application states "In the absence of an acceptable flood risk assessment (FRA) we object to this application and recommend that planning permission is refused."

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To read the Environment Agency  full objection please click here.

CPRE the Countryside Charity Fighting Beane Solar - Their Campaign for Rural Countryside in East Herts

CPRE  have many concerns about this proposed solar farm (East Hertfordshire planning application 3/24/2245/FUL). Read full details in their formal objection.

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CPRE are campaigning to save this large swathe of beautiful pastoral countryside between Cromer and Cottered in East Hertfordshire. 80 hectares of this designated rural landscape is now under threat of industrialisation.​

Hertfordshire Historic England - Proposed Development Site Should be Regarded as Having the Potential to Contain Heritage Assets with Archaeological Interest

28th  January 2025 - Historic Environment Advisor states "The proposed development site within a very large area of agricultural land with several archaeological remains within and immediately outside of its boundaries. These include the projected route of the Roman Road from Baldock to Braughing (Historic Environment Record no. 27665) as well as the approximate locations of a Saxon ‘execution place’ (HER no. 11822) and the medieval St. Paul’s Chapel (HER 13118).

The proposed development site should be regarded as having the potential to contain heritage assets with archaeological interest (NPPF para 207). Information about the significance of buried archaeology that may be present within the proposed development area, and the impact of any development, is not yet available.
We therefore advise that an additional form of geophysical survey be undertaken. The geophysical survey, more specifically electrical resistance or earth resistance survey should focus on Sector 3 of the development area, in order to provide sufficient information about the significance of heritage assets that may be affected by the development. This work should be carried out prior to determination of the application."​

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To read the full archaeological implications report click here.

Cottered and Throcking Parish Council Objection to the Beane Valley Solar Farm

23rd  January 2025 - Cottered and Throcking Parish Council objection to the planning application states "The development will affect the historic agricultural and rural setting of the grade II* listed Cromer Windmill, exceptional as 'Hertfordshire's only surviving windmill' restored and open to the public. This application should be rejected."

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To read Cottered and Throcking Parish Council  full objection please click here.

Hertfordshire County Councillor Ken Crofton Hertford Rural Division Objection to the Beane Valley Solar Farm

21st  January 2025 - County Councillor Ken Crofton, Hertford Rural Division, objection to the planning application states "The construction of miles of 8 feet high fencing in this rural environment will resemble a prison camp. It will be damaging and restrictive for the wildlife that is so plentiful in this part of rural East Herts.
Solar Panels are not considered as exceptional reasons to grant development on land in or beyond the Green Belt. Decades of irreversible harm would be caused to the land, the Beane Valley and wildlife. This application should be rejected."

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To read County Councillor Ken Crofton full objection please click here.

Ardeley Parish Council Say That the Solar Farm Would Have Hugely Detrimental Effects

18th January 2025 - Ardeley Parish Council objection to the planning application states "The Parish Council is wholly in favour of renewable energy as a replacement for the wholesale use of fossil fuels. However, this proposal would have hugely detrimental effects on this fragile area and it is difficult to imagine a worse location for a solar plant.
The proposal if granted will:
• Damage the heritage and amenity of this beautiful corner of Hertfordshire
• Ruin the rights of way enjoyed by many
• Harm the ecology of the area
• Cause glint and glare to motorists on busy roads and to local dwellings
• Cause heavy construction vehicles to use very unsuitable roads and lanes during installation and maintenance
• Transgress government guidelines for the siting of renewable energy facilities.."

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To read the full Ardeley Parish Council objection to the solar farm planning application please click here.

Walkern Parish Council Say Solar Project Must Ensure Land is Protected for Food Security

16th January 2025 - Walkern Parish Council objection to the planning application states "The Parish Council is mindful that in May 2024 the Energy Security Secretary told Parliament that the best agricultural land must be protected for food security. In the face of global insecurity all steps must be taken to strengthen food security as part of the UK's national resilience. Although solar energy does play a key part in securing energy security and net zero targets local planning authorities should protect the "Best and Most Versatile (BMV)" land ensuring that solar projects avoid this quality land and should be developed on brownfield land, contaminated land, industrial land and rooftops so as not to compromise the UK's food security."

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To read the full Walkern Parish Council objection to the solar farm planning application please click here.

Beane Valley Solar Farm Community Meeting

14th January 2025 - A community meeting was convened by Councillor Aubrey Holt in Ardeley Village Hall to discuss the proposed solar farm development. The meeting saw an exceptional turnout, with over 100 residents attending, reflecting the deep concern and strong community engagement surrounding this issue. The event served as a vital forum for residents to voice their opinions, share their perspectives, and raise concerns about the potential impact of the proposal on the local area.

Residents at the community meeting felt the application should be refused based on the following:
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Contravention of National and Local Policies: Including the NPPF, East Herts District Plan, and Buntingford Neighbourhood Plan, which all prioritise protecting rural character, agricultural land, and biodiversity.
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Inappropriate Use of Land: The development is proposed on Grade 2 agricultural land, which should be preserved for food production.
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Harm to Heritage Assets: Significant visual and cultural harm to Cromer Windmill, a Grade II* listed structure.
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Environmental Impact: Disruption to wildlife, loss of biodiversity, and failure to propose sufficient mitigation measures.
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Insufficient Information: The application lacks detail on decommissioning, long-term impact, and other critical issues.
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Cumulative and Precedent Risks: Approval would lead to further speculative developments, compounding the harm to the local environment.
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Community Opposition: Strong and widespread opposition demonstrates that the proposal fails to reflect the will of the local community.

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To read the minutes from the meeting please click here.

Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire Christopher Hinchliff Urges Solar Farm Developer RES to Withdraw Planning Application

14th January 2025 - MP Christopher Hinchliff writes to solar farm developer RES urging them to withdraw their planning application stating " I am concerned by the type of land on which you propose to develop. By your own assessment, 78.75% of this application would be constructed on high-quality, best and most versatile agricultural land, which the national planning policy clearly states should be avoided for renewable energy projects. 

Furthermore, your own application documents note that the East Herts District Council Plan policy for rural areas beyond the greenbelt covers the proposed site and refers to it as “valued countryside” where development should be “compatible with the character and appearance of the rural area". This will not be the case for a scheme covering hectares in steel, glass, significant fencing, and widespread use of CCTV. 

If you proceed with this application and it is approved, you will be imposing profound harm on the communities surrounding the proposed site and doing so in direct opposition to both local and national planning policies, as well as resident’s views. For these reasons, I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to withdraw this application and seek more suitable sites, where you can work in collaboration with local communities rather than in opposition to them."

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To read MP Christopher Hinchliff 's request for the RES planning application withdrawal click here.

Historic England Provide Advice to East Herts Council on the  Beane Valley Solar Farm Planning Application

10th January 2025 - Historic England advice to East Herts Council is that the planning application proposes the development of a solar energy generation facility on farmland in the vicinity of multiple heritage assets. They are concerned by the impact on the setting of the grade II* listed Cromer windmill and consider it would result in harm to the historic significance of the listed building in terms of the National Planning Policy Framework.

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Click here to read the full advice from Historic England.

Hertfordshire Highways Recommends the Planning Application for the  Beane Valley Solar Farm is Refused

23rd December 2023 - Hertfordshire Highways gave notice to the East Herts District Council under article 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 that Hertfordshire County Council as Highway Authority recommends that permission be refused for the following reasons:

"The application lacks sufficient information to correctly assess the highway matters for the site to ensure that it meets standards and is acceptable and safe. This therefore means that it has the potential to conflict with policies stipulated in Hertfordshire County Councils Local Transport Plan (Policy 5) (adopted 2018) and the National Planning Policy Framework (Policy 116)."

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Click here to read the full report from Hertfordshire Highways.

Beane Valley Solar Farm Battery Storage and Substation planning application submitted

9th December 2024 - Planning application reference 3/24/2245/FUL has been submitted to East Herts Council for the installation and operation of a solar farm including co-located energy storage facilities, onsite substation, ancillary infrastructure and landscaping on the land to the west of the A507 between Cottered and Cromer Hertfordshire SG9 9PU.

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To register your objection to the planning application click here. 

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Objections to the solar farm application must be submitted by the 19th February 2025.

Lightrock Power Limited said it will appeal a council's decision to reject its plans for a new solar farm

8th October 2024 - North Yorkshire Council's planning committee turned down Lightrock Power's application for the development in Husthwaite earlier because it would have been built on "high quality" agricultural land.

The site, near Easingwold on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, is called Woolpots and has been the subject of a two-year battle fought by campaigners who are opposed to it.

Solar projects should avoid best quality farmland 

15th May 2024 - Energy Security Secretary has told Parliament that with growing geopolitical tension, the best agricultural land must be protected for food security.

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The best agricultural land should be prioritised for food production – Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho told Parliament today (Wednesday 15 May). 

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As the Prime Minister has set out  in the face of heightened global instability, the government is taking steps to strengthen food security as part of the UK’s national resilience.

That includes protecting ‘Best and Most Versatile’ (BMV) land, ensuring large solar projects avoid this higher quality land where possible. Instead, they should be developed on brownfield land, contaminated land, industrial land, and lower quality agricultural land so as not to compromise the UK’s food security. 

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Solar power will continue to play an important role in delivering cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy – with a more than 4-fold increase in solar deployment expected by 2035, up to 70GW. 

To reach that goal, the Energy Security Secretary has reinforced the weight of planning policy and the need for solar to be delivered in a sensible way – ensuring developers and planning authorities consider the cumulative impact solar projects can have on local communities, especially where they are facing a high volume of applications.

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Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: 

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"As the Prime Minister set out this week, rising threats around the world mean we must have a renewed emphasis on our security. That means protecting our food security whilst also delivering the cheap energy we need."

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"We are taking further steps today to make sure we can get that balance right. I want to see more solar on rooftops and where that’s not possible, for agricultural land to be protected; and for the cumulative impact on local villages to be considered where they are facing a high number of solar farm applications."

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 "We will make sure we reach our solar targets in a sensible way that delivers clean, cheaper energy but does not compromise our food security."

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Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

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"We’re committed to protecting and improving the nation’s food security, alongside action that safeguards our energy security."

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"That’s why we’re ensuring our best agricultural land continues to be used for its core purpose of food production, while helping farmers expand their businesses through farming grants which will enable them to invest in rooftop solar and the generation of renewable energy on their farms."

The government is taking pressure off the countryside and away from the country’s best agricultural land by making it easier to deploy rooftop solar. Recent changes to permitted development rights will cut red tape and make it easier and cheaper to put solar panels on the rooftops of commercial buildings - including on farm buildings, warehouses, factories and carparks.

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Agricultural Land Classification Soil Surveys are currently carried out by soil consultants on behalf of developers, although the format of these can vary across projects and there isn’t a specific accredited body in place to oversee this process. To ensure there is greater consistency and certain standards are always met in these surveys, the government is exploring options to introduce an independent certification scheme. This should ensure that data is recorded and presented in a more consistent and objective way – helping government more closely monitor how agricultural land is being classified.

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Beane Valley Solar Farm site low grade farmland we do not think so!

Solar farms battery storage application rejected

4th March 2024 - The planning application for a 150-megawatt battery facility over 25 acres to store energy generated by solar panels was rejected. Campaigners raised safety concerns about the lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries to store the energy. A protest was held outside the Borough Council's offices ahead of a planning committee meeting. LFP batteries are "more subject to explosion risk than other types," according to a SBC report. Committee members rejected the battery safety management plan for the site after nearly four hours of debate.

Committee members refused the battery management plan on grounds of a lack of water storage facilities on site, a lack of access to the battery storage area, and the lack of an evacuation emergency plan.

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Sir David Melville, a physicist said the battery plans posed "unacceptable risks of fire, explosion, and the emission of toxic gases".

The campaigning village were extremely anxious and worried - the plans to communicate an incident to them or to help them escape or survive do not exist. "The villagers believe that they are being treated as the acceptable collateral damage at the altar of your ambitions."

Lightrock Power Limited Solar Farm Plans Rejected by Two Councils

24th April 2024 - Plans for a new solar farm have been rejected by East Staffordshire councillors less than a month after Staffordshire Moorlands councillors also refused permission.

East Staffordshire Borough Council voted to reject the solar farm on the grounds of visual impact and the cumulative impact of sites.

Both councils said they were concerned about the number of solar farms earmarked for the area.

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Another solar farm has already been built nearby, and planning permission has been granted for a further two, which are yet to be built.

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East Staffordshire Borough Council had considered the application for Upper Leigh in February, but deferred its decision for further consultation with the applicant on the layout of the solar panels and the proposed battery storage unit.

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Chris Sowerbutts from Lightrock Power, who spoke in support of the application, said: “We have done everything we can to redesign and take everybody’s views within the planning process into account to ensure we have a high quality scheme."

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Some solar farms 'will never see light of day', minister says, amid backlash to planning applications

4th March 2024 - A government minister has said that far more applications have been made for solar farms than the country will ever need. Graham Stuart, the energy minister, made the remark after being asked about concerns over recent plans for solar farms. "An awful lot of the projects, talking nationally, will never see the light of day," he added.

How a campaign group halted the solar farm juggernaut

4th March 2024 - A few weeks ago a small group of dedicated campaigners  heard that they had successfully overturned a decision to use prime agricultural land as a 50-megawatt solar farm and substation on 178 acres suggesting not just that people are finally waking up to the importance of growing food in the UK, but that they won’t put up with detrimental proposals imposed from above.

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The original planning application was approved by the district council despite objections from residents. Locals had to go to extreme lengths to be heard and fund a judicial review to challenge the decision and finally a court order was signed to quash the decision. The district council had to accept that their decision was unlawful on grounds that it ‘failed to have sufficient regard to material considerations in relation to the policy of the development of solar farms on best and most versatile land’. In other words the decision ran counter to published government policy  on land use. 

Sunak promised focus on food security

20th February 2024 - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised a new focus on food security, responding to criticism from farmers that agriculture is being not given the same strategic importance as energy and the environment. "Food security is a vital part of our national security and recent years have brought home the truth of that," Sunak told the National Farmers' Union (NFU) conference, noting Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago prompted a surge in food and energy prices.

NFU President Minette Batters called on all political parties to commit to giving food security the same strategic priority as the environment and energy. "There is currently an imbalance between environment and food production in government policy. We must see changes this year to redress this before many more farms just simply disappear," she said.

Campaigners against the use of good quality farmland for solar farms said "you cannot grow wheat on a rooftop or brownfield sites but they sure are the right places for solar panels".

Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald KC MP, Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire

15th February 2024 - "I am one of the MPs who has been arguing in debates for some years that solar plants should be on buildings, brownfield land or non-productive land".

Government briefing Planning for Solar Farms

12th February 2024 - The briefing covers planning policy for solar farms in England and the devolved administrations and commentary on the use of agricultural land for solar farms.

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) report has found that over half the solar panels needed to hit national net zero targets could be fitted on rooftops and in car parks.

14th February 2024 - Research, by the UCL Energy Institute, for CPRE, shows that decarbonising the national energy grid requires far less land than feared. Installing solar panels on existing buildings and car parks would enjoy near-universal public support and work minimise objections to large solar farms in the countryside, the research finds. It also reveals that the potential of brownfield sites to generate renewable energy is dramatically underused.

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Click to sign the the CPRE petition calling for an exciting national target for rooftop solar.

Petition to introduce new restrictions on solar facilities to protect land and food security

9th February 2024 - Prohibit 'mega solar facilities' over 50MW on UK farmland; establish solar development preference hierarchies and regional density caps to help protect our natural landscapes, ensure food security, and conserve biodiversity.

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Government policy must align net zero aims with food security and regional integrity. Establishing formal priorities for solar development on brownfields, rooftops, and lower-grade land, plus regional solar density caps, could help ensure energy targets are met without compromising rural landscapes or broader security interests.

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At 10,000 signatures, government will respond to this petition - click to sign this petition.

East Hert Council conclusion on the Beane Valley solar farm EIA

16th of January 2024- East Herts Council  their screening analysis conclusion - "Based on the information submitted and following a screening analysis (attached) it is considered that the project would not give rise to ‘significant effects’ on the wider environment, in EIA terms, owing to its scale, nature and location. It is therefore the local planning authority’s formal opinion that development of the form and scale as described in the correspondence from Marron’s, and the masterplan by David Locke Associates acting on behalf of the site promoter, does not constitute EIA development and therefore it will not be necessary to submit an Environmental Statement with any subsequent potential planning application (should a development scheme be proposed of this type, scale and form)."

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There were a total of 177 public comments  regarding  the screening submission including 166 objections to the Beane Valley Solar Farm.

EIA submission for the Beane Valley solar farm

21st of December 2023 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report is submitted for consideration to East Hertfordshire Council on behalf of RES Ltd (the Applicant).

Beane Valley solar farm screening opinion submission
5th on December 2023 - Marrons Planning on behalf of the client Hallam Land Management Limited submitted a request to the Planning Department of East Hertfordshire District Council for a SCREENING OPINION UNDER THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2017 for a Beane Valley solar farm.  The request seeked to obtain a formal opinion as to whether Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) is necessary for the proposed development, and if an Environmental Statement is required to accompany the forthcoming outline planning application.