This morning, I met with Environment Secretary, George Eustice, to raise the ongoing issue of planned solar farms on farmland in my constituency at Eden Farm, Old Malton and Peter Hill, Husthwaite. Although supportive of renewable energy and reducing our reliance on imports of fossil fuels, I stressed my very strong concerns about these proposed developments on the landscape, our ability to feed the nation and fair compensation for tenant farmers.
Mr. Eustice was sympathetic to the issues I relayed, that of lack of sufficient compensation to tenant farmers and the fact although planning policy is very clear that large scale solar should not be located on best and most versatile land, this condition is potentially being undermined by local councils declaring climate emergencies and making this a material consideration when determining an application. The use of non-agricultural development provisions in the context of tenanted farms is also urgently in need of reform as the compensation levels for farmers driven off their land is derisory, whilst the financial opportunity for the landowner is very large. I am therefore pleased Mr Eustice has agreed to take these matters up with Michael Gove and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and in the Tenancy Working Group.
I will continue to raise these matters on behalf of Thirsk and Malton constituents and hope to provide further updates as soon as possible.
I also spoke in today's debate in Westminster Hall on this very issue, which you can view here.
