"Protecting the global environment is not an excuse to trash the local environment." Eric Pickles to UK Parliament, May 2024.

Novergy and Recurrent Energy are putting in a planning application for a solar farm in Radford Semele.

It will cover 242 acres of land to the west of Fosse Way (B4455) and to the south-east of Radford Semele. 

We don't believe this is an appropriate location for an industrial development of this size, one that will change the landscape and the nature of the surrounding area so significantly. 

The proposal is 0.1 MW short of a 'nationally significant infrastructure project'. Solar farms with a generating capacity above 50 MW would have to seek approval from the Secretary of State, rather than the Local Planning Authority. This is 49.99 MW.

If it goes ahead, it will join up with other nearby solar farms, and become the largest in the UK.

This is agricultural land, and agricultural land shouldn't be developed. Only recently, Eric Pickles made a statement to the House emphasising that, where a proposal involves agricultural land, it should be quite clear that poorer quality land should be used in preference.

The strategy should be to focus growth on domestic and commercial roof space, and previously developed land. 

The National Planning Policy Framework includes strong protections for the natural and historic environment. Eric Pickles says, 

"Meeting our energy goals should not be used to justify the wrong development in the wrong location, and this includes the unnecessary use of high quality agricultural land."

The environment is important and so is renewable energy. But open spaces are being eroded all around us, and there are alternative locations for this solar farm. Local people use these fields and footpaths every day. In lockdown, the open space was a life saver for many more.

This proposal will fundamentally change the village's rural and tranquil character. It's an inappropriate location for an industrial development. The proposal has areas for battery storage, security fencing, locked gates and sub-stations. It is a complete change of use.

There will be significant adverse visual impact - currently there are extensive open views of green fields and farmland. This development will destroy those views and degrade the amenity value. There are a number of residential properties very close to the site boundary. The development will have a huge adverse visual impact for them. 

It's important to preserve good quality agricultural land - it goes against national strategy to lose good quality agricultural land to development. It should be retained for food production.

Novergy has downplayed the quality of the land - planning policies state that Grades 1, 2 and 3a should be protected from development. Novergy say these fields are mainly Grade 3b. Yet our Neighbourhood Plan states that they're predominantly Grades 2 and 3a, deemed “Best and Most Versatile".

These fields contain an abundance of wildlife - from skylarks and birds of prey, to hares and roe deer.

This is not an appropriate location for an industrial development of this size, one that will change the landscape and the nature of the surrounding area so significantly. 

Please sign this petition to ensure that sustainable energy solutions are installed where they belong — on industrial sites, not our precious farmland!