Calls for planning policy change on solar farms

EAST RIDING COUNCIL IS TO ALSO PRODUCE ITS OWN GUIDE

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

COUNCILLORS in East Riding have called for the Government to create caps on the amount of agricultural land in any one area that can be converted into solar farms.

They also instructed the council to produce a clear guide to help people engage with nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

These are where a development’s scale is too large for a council to make the final decision, with the planning inspectorate instead managing the process and a Government minister having the final say.

The solar farm-focused motion, proposed by Cllr Victoria Aitken (Conservative - Howdenshire Ward), comes after a spate of major solar farm developments put forward in East Riding in recent years.

Some residents have organised a concerted campaign against such, in a group known as East Riding Against Solar Expansion (ERASE).

ERASE members protested outside full council at Beverley Town Hall.

They later watched on as Cllr Aitken’s proposal was backed unanimously. ERASE spokesman George McManus called it “brilliant news”.

“A great leap forward. This is the culmination of our two year campaign to get the public involved in the process.

“The council must now deliver on its promise to provide clear guidance to residents on how to get involved.