Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of the capacity required to meet the 47GW solar target by 2030 will come from (a) rooftop installations, (b) brownfield and previously developed land and (c) greenfield development; and what steps he is taking to prevent the greenfield element falling disproportionately on high-quality agricultural land.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has not set discrete targets for rooftop and ground-mounted solar by 2030.
However, modelling suggests that, even in the most ambitious scenarios, only up to 0.4% of UK land (0.6% of agricultural land) would be devoted to solar in 2030.
Planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, developers should utilise brownfield sites. Where the development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred. Each project is subject to a rigorous planning process, in which any impact on land use or food production is considered.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether independent Agricultural Land Classification surveys conducted by a qualified soil scientist are a mandatory requirement before solar farm applications on potential BMV land are determined.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Agricultural Land Classification surveys are typically conducted using existing site survey reports, where available.
Where this isn’t the case, the developer commissions a new survey, which should be conducted by soil scientists, or experienced soil specialists who are members of the British Society of Soil Science, the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, or similar professional bodies.
The quality and accuracy of Agricultural Land Classification reports are reviewed by Natural England. Their findings are reported to planning decision-makers.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance his Department issues to planning inspectors on the weighting to be given to Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land when determining solar farm appeals; and whether he plans to update that guidance.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Appeals against planning refusal are decided in accordance with the applicable planning policies – in most cases, these are the National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Practice Guidance.
These state that, wherever possible, developers should utilise previously developed land; where the development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred. Decision-makers should also consider whether the proposal allows for continued agricultural use where applicable and/or encourages biodiversity improvements around arrays.
The Government keeps planning policy under constant review. The Planning Practice Guidance will be updated in due course.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what area of Grade 1, 2 and 3a agricultural land in Suffolk has been used for ground-mounted solar development since 2019; and if he will take steps to ensure future solar consents in that county prioritise lower-grade land.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Data on the area of land occupied by solar projects is contained in the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD). The Government does not currently categorise the data based on agricultural land type. However, work is underway to expand the REPD to include this feature.
Planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, developers should utilise brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land. Where the development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred to higher-quality land.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has a target for the proportion of domestic energy produced by land based solar farms.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our pathway to clean power was set out in the Clean Power Action Plan, published in December 2024. It made clear that solar power, across rooftop and ground-mounted solar farms, will be crucial to achieving our mission.
The plan calls for the rapid acceleration of solar deployment, from around 21.5GW at present, to 45–47GW by 2030, with scope to exceed this, subject to system need.
We do not hold specific targets for the proportion of this capacity that should be split between ground-mounted solar farms and other types of solar.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Norwich-to-Tilbury pylon route on the local agricultural sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects, in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission, to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route including assessment of any agricultural impacts. The Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities participate in.
The Government cannot comment on specific projects which will come before the Secretary of State for a final decision. Depending on the specifics of each case, network operators are required to have an agreement with landowners impacted by transmission infrastructure projects on their land, including payment of appropriate compensation.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a community benefit scheme for agricultural landowners affected by the National Grid Norwich to Tilbury project who will no longer be able to farm land with a pylon on it.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government cannot comment on specific projects which will come before the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. All projects, regardless of location, must go through the independent and robust planning process.
We are committed to ensuring that communities who live near new transmission infrastructure can see the benefits of it and are considering how to most effectively deliver this. Community benefits are different to compensation. Depending on the specifics of each case, network operators must have an agreement with landowners impacted by the presence of transmission infrastructure projects on their land, which includes payment of appropriate compensation.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with the agricultural community on the construction of the Norwich-to-Tilbury pylon project.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. The government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in, with consultation being a central element of the planning process. Any engagement by Ministers must consider the role of the Secretary of State in deciding on planning applications for energy projects, and the limitations on discussing live projects in the development process which have not come to the Planning Inspectorate.