Claire Coutinho warns solar farms and food security are 'competing priorities'

Michael Holder
clock • 7 min read
Claire Coutinho warns solar farms and food security are 'competing priorities'

Ministerial statement seeks to tighten restrictions on solar developments on farmland, sparking bemused and angry response from solar farm industry

The government has vowed to "put food security first", as it announced fresh plans to try and restrict solar farm development on high grade agricultural land and ensure solar projects on buildings and...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

'The case for reform is clear': Why sky-high UK energy costs are an urgent issue for the next Prime Minister

Severn Trent Water escapes fine for 'serious' past failings after slashing sewage spills

More on Solar

Solar power keeps food frozen at Iceland's Scottish distribution hub
Solar

Solar power keeps food frozen at Iceland's Scottish distribution hub

Newly fitted 1.5 MW rooftop solar PV installation set to provide ‘significant proportion' of distribution centre's electricity demand

Amber Rolt
clock 08 July 2026 • 2 min read
Solar on the frontline in Ukraine
Solar

Solar on the frontline in Ukraine

It is more important than ever that the solar sector and UK companies redouble their efforts to support and fund our brave and inspirational Ukrainian colleagues, writes Dr Seb Berry from RePower Ukraine

Dr Seb Berry, RePower Ukraine
clock 03 July 2026 • 4 min read
'Energy independence': Government green lights two new solar farms
Solar

'Energy independence': Government green lights two new solar farms

Ministers approve Peartree solar farm in Yorkshire and Dean Moor solar farm in West Cumbria, which together promise to deliver clean power to 200,000 homes

Amber Rolt
clock 03 July 2026 • 2 min read