‘Leave farmland alone’ plea against giant solar sites in Cornwall

A Cornwall councilor fears the rise of industrial-scale solar farms means “there won’t be any farmers left” – and Cornwall Live readers have debated how to get the balance between food security and clean energy right in our comments section.

Councilor Brian Clemens expressed concern, saying: “We risk losing large areas of good land and instead turning it into an industrial landscape alien to what should be a mixed agricultural enterprise.”

“With a very unstable world, surely it is better to be more self-sufficient in our food security than relying on imports? At the end of the day, you could live without electricity, but you certainly can’t live without food.” Peer councilor Alan Jewell’s motion wants the local authority’s chief planning officer to look into how he can ensure planning decisions take into account the right balance between land use for food production and solar farms.

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Reader Chrissie54 said: “Farmland is essential for our food, after all. wWe need more homes for ordinary families. Old unused mining land that will be wasted could be put to better use. Leave the farmland alone.

“It’s selling too much to the highest bidder for those with lots of second or third homes for tourists, driving up the price of local housing for everyone at a negative cost to locals.” Tuberider agrees: “A lot of old land used mostly in mining areas, no need to use agricultural land.”

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Commenter Kernowmaid67 says there is room elsewhere to grow solar: “It’s about time all new developments had some form of power generation built in. CC are too keen to sign new homes but there should be a requirement for at least some solar/wind/soil etc. to be included before the permit is granted.”

ThePeople’sChamp said: “Ideally it should be on buildings. Maybe when we stop having to import food that we can produce ourselves, we can use more of our agricultural land for other purposes.”

Woody1961_ agrees: “100% agree. Grants for farmers who turn over their land to solar companies are very short sighted indeed. I’m sure the landowner can do for very little input. In nature, every action has a consequence!”

Triggerandhisdoggo quipped about giant solar farms: “Isn’t there a danger of making the earth look like a giant disco ball and attracting aliens looking for a night out?”

Which side of the gate are you on? To join the conversation, comment below or enter HERE.