A report by CPRE reveals that two-thirds of England's top solar farms are on productive agricultural land, with significant portions on valuable Grade 1-3a farmland. The analysis of 38 solar farms shows that 59% occupy farmland, leading to the conversion of 827 hectares, equivalent to 1,300 football pitches, away from food production. CPRE emphasizes the need for solar developments to be relocated to rooftops and brownfield sites, warning that the current policies threaten UK food security as solar capacity is set to expand significantly by 2030.
Nearly two-thirds of England's largest solar farms have been built on productive agricultural land, with 827 hectares of the most versatile farmland taken out of food production.
CPRE found that more than half of large solar sites include Grade 1-3a land, threatening UK food security amid increasing global uncertainty.
Continued loss of prime agricultural land threatens UK food security at a time when food production is critical.
The charity calls on the government to shift solar development from green fields to rooftops and brownfield sites.
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