
Plans to build one of the UK’s largest solar arrays on prime Devon farmland must be headed off at the pass
Plans for a giant solar farm - one of the largest solar arrays in the UK and Europe - covering 2,700 acres of prime farmland in the North West of Devon must be headed off at the pass, says Devon CPRE. The campaigning charity is holding a public meeting with residents on 31 October and has set up an online petition to oppose the development, while it’s still in the pre-application stage.
If built, the ‘Beacon Solar’ mega array would cover more than 4 square miles of productive land across the traditional rural landscape at Holsworthy Beacon with solar panels, batteries and all the industrialised fencing and security that goes with these developments.
Because of its size with a capacity of over 100MW, the Beacon Solar project would be a nationally significant infrastructure project - it will not be approved by elected councillors, it will be decided by the government alone. The only input from the local planning authority and the six parish councils who represent local communities will be in their role as consultees.
This means it’s up to the public to tell the government that “enough is enough” and that this project is not necessary. There is already more than three times the amount of renewable energy capacity needed to meet the government’s target, queueing for connection to the National Grid.
The public meeting is being held at Holsworthy Memorial Hall at 11.30 am on Friday, 31 October. Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox is scheduled to attend. Book your place by emailing director@cpredevon.org.uk
The online petition ‘Say No to Beacon Solar’ can be signed at devoncpre.org.uk
Devon CPRE Chairman Steve Crowther says, “We are urging as many people as possible to come and hear about the Beacon Solar development next Friday. We want to find out what they think about it, and what we should tell the government, who will make the decision on whether this goes ahead. We need you – and thousands of other voters like you – to stand with us. Sign our petition if you value Devon and the world-class food our farmers produce, whether you live in Devon or not.
“12 years ago, our ‘Slay The Array’ campaign saw off one of the world’s largest wind farms, which was going to be built just off the North Devon coast. 700-foot turbines would have encrusted the horizon across Devon’s iconic coastline. When the developer abandoned the scheme after six years of confident planning, it had four or five times as many objections as any previous renewable energy project from people all over the country, and beyond. Join us and stand up for Devon’s farmland now.”
Devon CPRE says the current solar and battery gold rush is not the result of a strategic energy policy, quite the opposite. Just last week a vast solar farm in Lincolnshire was given the green light by the Department for Energy Security, covering an area of high-quality farmland the size of Heathrow Airport with ground-mounted solar while too many rooftops remain unused.
Steve Crowther adds, “It’s a huge market ‘bubble’ to make fortunes for global investors at the expense of our landscape, our environment and our food security. If and when the bubble bursts, and those companies disappear, there will be thousands of acres of toxic and unrecyclable materials for local communities to clear up.”
Say No to Beacon Solar, sign the petition today: devoncpre.org.uk