Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to express my concern about the cumulative impact of solar farms proposed in my constituency of Beverley and Holderness.
Like you, I believe solar power has an important role to play in our transition to a cleaner energy system. It is the cheapest form of energy generation, and I am proud that under the previous Conservative Government, solar power grew from less than 1% of electricity generation in 2010 to over 5% in 2024.
Solar energy also has strong public support. The Spring 2025 DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker found that 86% of people are in favour of solar energy. However, I am concerned that the scale of the solar farms being proposed, and the cumulative impact this will have on the communities I represent, risks undermining this good will.
When communities perceive large scale infrastructure as being imposed upon them without adequate consultation, it can cause resentment and lead people to see renewable energy not as an advancement to be welcomed but as an inconvenience to be resisted in their own backyards.
Over recent months, I have received numerous emails from constituents who, while broadly supportive of solar energy, are concerned about the proposed loss of farmland and greenspace in our rural communities if these projects materialise.
In consideration of their concerns, it is vital that the Government ensures the planning system strikes a fair balance between community views and the need for a secure energy supply. As part of this, I ask that you protect the best and most versatile agricultural land to minimise the impact on the farmers who provide our food.
Additionally, clear guidance should be introduced to ensure that communities like Beverley and Holderness can contribute to the transition towards a cleaner, greener Britain, as we always have done, without being disproportionately burdened by the infrastructure required to achieve that ambition.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Stuart
