During my large-scale solar farms debate in Parliament today, I highlighted how the concerns about these local proposals in our area of Lincolnshire are deeply felt and widespread. This is not about the small pockets of solar farms on land of poor agricultural value, but about the sheer scale of current proposals to cover thousands of acres of prime farmland.
Solar energy is a piece of the jigsaw in our transition to a greener future, but we must strike a balance.
I am grateful to Minister Bowie from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for his attendance in the debate and his confirmation that a solar plan will be published imminently. I will work with him and colleagues to ensure the policies are effective in delivering the Prime Minister’s pledge to not allow great swathes of British countryside to be taken up by solar panels.
You can watch my whole speech (around 30 minutes long) and the Minister's response here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9037d71b-1809-48a3-8f61-1437e2e7c5b2?in=12:30:09
