food security

East Devon residents call on Devon CPRE to help them fight solar on farmland

Villagers of Marsh Green in East Devon have made an urgent appeal to the Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE to help them fight an alarming planning application for a solar farm that would destroy hundreds of acres of productive land and increase the risk of their homes flooding. The extraordinary proposal also includes cutting off the nearby hamlet of Westcott for five days a week...

Aerial view of a large solar installation on Devon farmland (image by Devon CPRE)

Why is government guidance not to develop solar on quality farmland being routinely ignored?

The Devon branch of the countryside charity CPRE is issuing a defiant call to arms - highlighting the blatant inconsistencies in the Planning system that are allowing solar development on thousands of acres of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land that the Government says should be protected and prioritised for food production.

The small independent charity is ramping up its campaign to...