New plans to build the UK’s largest solar farm have reignited calls for a national debate on the future of the countryside.
The proposed Sunnica energy farm situated on the Cambridge/Suffolk border will allow for four separate solar energy sites connecting to the Burwell National Grid Substation in Cambridgeshire.
It has been identified that much of the land is irrigated which supports growth of a wide range of crops and importantly, makes the land suitable for growing crops early and late in the year. Farmers continue to advocate in favour of such land being retained for food production.
Representatives from Sunnica have raised the importance of the UK’s challenge to decarbonise its energy supplies and claim that the firm had sought to avoid using the best agricultural land.
The food versus fuel debate will continue to raise pertinent questions associated with biodiversity, landscape, biofuels and the increasing challenge to fulfil energy targets.
It is anticipated that Sunnica will be submitting an application to the planning inspectorate in the coming weeks.
For further details on this topic see: https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/huge-solar-farm-sparks-calls-for-food-versus-fuel-debate
If you are a land owner and have been approached by a utility company about renewable energy, it is important you have the right legal team by your side. Our Agricultural Services Team have been advising rural client for generations. If you would like to discuss the above further please contact us on 01245 228138
This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
