My background, prior to entering politics, is in small-scale commercial rooftop solar. Not the 50MW utility-scale type project being proposed for near Bradford Abbas. However many of the same fundamentals apply.
If we are to avoid the worst ravages of the impending climate crisis, we need to rapidly decarbonise energy generation. That inevitably means more renewable energy – in all its forms.
For the UK to meet its solar targets we will need to convert approximately 0.3 per cent of the UK’s total land to solar. That’s roughly half the amount of land currently being used as golf courses.
However, we must ensure that the drive to generate clean energy does not come at the cost of food production. At the Wyke Solar Farm the land is predominately grades 3B and 4, theoretically less productive land. But the 430-acre site also contains parcels of the highest Grade 1 land. Taking any productive land away from food production is bad for UK food security.
The reality is that making a living from food production is increasingly difficult. Farmers who agree to lease their land to renewable energy developers nearly always do so because the income represents a better future than traditional farming. An alarming state of affairs.
We must address how our farmers are paid for the food they produce in order to secure both their future and that of the next generation. If we make farming viable, I’m certain we will stop seeing land given over to solar.
The Wyke Solar farm is in its “pre-app” stage. That means no application has been made yet, but that developers, RWE, have begun a consultation process with local residents ahead of making the formal planning submission. People can email RWE or attend the in-person consultation in Bradford Abbas Village Hall at 4pm on 16th September.
I will also be meeting personally with the developers to express my concerns. The Council will have their opportunity to scrutinise the plans once an application has been made.
Edward Morello
MP West Dorset
