I am deeply concerned about the lack of community awareness regarding a major planning application that could alter the landscape we cherish so dearly. A proposal has been submitted to construct a large solar park on the field adjacent to the Dairy—a field visible from our beloved residences in Weavers Place, Moor View, Barton Hill, and all homes surrounding the Fire Station in North Tawton, Devon. This is not just any field; it's a prominent feature of our daily lives, visible from popular local spots like the Tarka Trail and Taw Valley.

The field in question deserves to be highlighted for more than just its visual beauty. It's classified as high-grade agricultural land, essential for local farming practices that sustain our rural community. The proposed development would not only disrupt the scenic vistas that residents enjoy but also potentially compromise land that supports farming, an integral part of our local economy and heritage.

Why is this solar park being considered on such prime agricultural land when other non-productive sites might serve equally well for such projects? Renewable energy is crucial, but it must be pursued without erasing the very character and resources of the area it intends to serve. The decision to repurpose this land should not be taken lightly without exhaustive exploration of alternatives and comprehensive community consultation.

We must make our voices heard and ensure that our locality remains a balance of progress and preservation. This is a call to action for residents of North Tawton and surrounding areas to demand transparency and a more public conversation about this planning application. We need to evaluate whether the trade-off between renewable energy advancement and agricultural integrity is justified and whether alternative sites have been properly considered. If we allow this application through, what next? A data centre?

Join me in urging local planning authorities to halt this solar park development until all stakeholders, especially residents, have been given ample opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions. Sign this petition to help protect our land, our community, and our future.