'Blackmail' over solar farm plan

COUNCILLORS have accused Toyota of “blackmail” and “greenwashing” over its solar farm plans on rare grassland.

- By EDDIE BISKNELL Local democracy reporter

At a South Derbyshire District Council meeting, a split vote saw planning chair Louise Mulgrew approve the firm's plans for a 56-acre solar farm next to its Burnaston HQ.

A statement from Toyota was read out during the meeting, which said the plant hosted 2,500 jobs onsite and supported 15,000 more in the supply chain, with £2.37 billion invested in the South Derbyshire economy, and £5.7 billion in rates.

It continued: “The UK is more expensive than competitors and energy presents a critical disadvantage.

“The plant is tasked with achieving lower costs before any future model allocation decisions are made, and as the Corolla becomes older there becomes a risk of production reducing further and increasing the cost challenge.”