Sir Edward Leigh has attacked the proposals for solar power installations in and around Gainsborough, saying they are "unwelcome, unwise, and they undermine our countryside".
Speaking in a House of Commons debate, the Gainsborough MP said "the opposition to them in my constituency, and increasingly up and down the country, is as widespread as it is deeply felt".
Sir Edward's contribution can be viewed in the videos below, or can be read in full here.
These massive proposals for solar panels are unwise, unwelcome, and they undermine our countryside.
— Sir Edward Leigh MP (@EdwardLeighMP) April 22, 2024
I met with the Prime Minister last week to encourage him to extend the existing protections for farmland graded 1, 2, and 3a to include grade 3b as well. pic.twitter.com/XUIjfwXZld
We have a growing awareness of food security and how fragile global food distribution networks are.
— Sir Edward Leigh MP (@EdwardLeighMP) April 22, 2024
Land-intensive solar delivers too little energy for its cost, compared to the benefit of farmers making the food we all need to live. pic.twitter.com/mFAvCYx1fa
We live in a wet cloudy country, but sometimes when the sun is shining at its strongest these solar panels aren't working at 100%. pic.twitter.com/Rn1e801FbX
— Sir Edward Leigh MP (@EdwardLeighMP) April 22, 2024
These proposals take up too much land for the energy they produce, take good land out of food production, lessen the beauty of our landscapes, and cheat the system by skipping local scrutiny.
— Sir Edward Leigh MP (@EdwardLeighMP) April 22, 2024
Vulture firms are trying to gobble up our countryside: the Government must say no. pic.twitter.com/3fBrrI0OnA
