Gareth Davies MP this evening supported the Adjournment Debate, led by Sir John Hayes MP, on food security in the House of Commons.
In May, Gareth welcomed new guidance released by the previous Government in response to local concerns about the over-development of solar farms in Lincolnshire. This updated guidance on use of land for solar projects, including:
- Clarification that applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects should avoid the use of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land where possible;
- An announcement that Government databases would be expanded to monitor the type of land being used for such projects;
- An announcement that the Government would facilitate the independent certification of land quality to ensure this is done to a high standard;
- Warning against geographical clustering of proposed solar developments in some rural areas – with Lincolnshire named as an example;
- Reiterating the priority of rooftop solar as an alternative.
In his contribution this evening, Gareth made clear his disappointment that the new Labour Government has not committed to continuing with this guidance to protect our ‘Best and Most Versatile’ farmland from solar developments.
Gareth said:
“I was very pleased to be able to support the debate on food security, led by my Lincolnshire colleague, Sir John Hayes MP. Food security is national security, and our county plays a major role in this, with Lincolnshire producing one eighth of our nation’s food.
We all recognise the need for renewable energy to bolster our energy security and reduce emissions, but this must be done in a proportionate and sensible way, while respecting the high quality arable land we are fortunate to have in our area.
I will continue to press this new Labour Government to implement the commitment we secured from the previous Government to protect our best farmland from solar developments."
