Since starting this petition, we've had a change of government. This has made it even more important to fight for our open spaces - and to make our voices heard as a community. 

In an effort to hit the unrealistic target of net zero by 2035 instead of the more realistic target of 2050, the new government is making it easier for solar developers to build on agricultural land. 

They want to set a new threshold of 100 MW before developments go to the Secretary of State for approval. This will help larger developments move through the planning process faster, and more easily.

They want to remove this protection from the National Planning Policy Framework: 

“The availability of agricultural land used for food production should be considered, alongside other policies in this Framework, when deciding what sites are most appropriate for development.”

Well, brownfield sites and rooftops are most appropriate. They should be prioritised - every time. Money should be spent on infrastructure so it's cheaper and easier to transport energy from more remote locations. It's not appropriate to industrialise rural villages and destroy our open spaces when there are already developed sites where rootop solar won't harm the local environment. 

Developments are being rushed through in a hurry to meet targets, but if we could only stop and think, we might find different solutions, better ones that don't impact our beautiful open spaces. 

Please keep signing and sharing this petition, otherwise the voice of the community - and our important agricultural land - will be lost.