Plans to build a huge solar farm set to be opposed by villagers – BBC

People in the Derbyshire village of Brailsford have vowed to fight plans to turn hundreds of acres of farmland into a solar farm.
British Solar Renewables has revealed outline proposals for the solar park in the village, which sits between Derby and Ashbourne, and said it would help to provide more clean energy.
But residents opposed to the plans have erected large home-made signs on the side of the A52 which read "No to Brailsford Solar".
The company plans to formally submit plans in the spring of 2026.
Jenny Else and her family have lived in a farmhouse overlooking rolling fields since the 1970s and 38 years ago they started to diversify from farming by running paintballing sessions and now offer archery, quad biking and pistol shooting at their activity centre.
She fears their hard work will be blighted if the Brailsford solar park is built.
"It was when we saw the pure size of the whole thing and where it was going to be positioned that it hit home," she said.
"It is beautiful farmland, this is Derbyshire countryside. We're not talking poor quality land, we're not talking brownfield sites or anything like that, we're talking agricultural farmland."
Hugh Shaw, 84, moved to his home on the main road through Brailsford in 1963 and hopes the solar farm is not built.
"I don't want it, build it somewhere else – it's just farmers making money," he said.
"But I would prefer a solar farm to more houses being built."
Another resident who did not want to be named said she was convinced people would join forces to oppose the plans.
"We already have a lot of traffic through the village so don't want any more," she said.
"We're always being told that as a nation we need to grow more of our own food, yet this is taking farmland out of use."
British Solar Renewables said it has been consulting with local people on the plans for the 373-acre site and would take concerns on board.
Carla Hardaker from the company said the development would be returned to farmland after 40 years and it was possible sheep would be allowed to graze among the thousands of panels once they have been installed.
While Jenny Else is opposed to the site suggested for the solar park, she emphasised she was not opposed to renewable energy.
"We definitely need to change things. The thing is about this project and many other projects is that they are not in the right place," she said.
"There are hospitals, warehouses, schools and car parks where solar panels could be installed, taking pressure off the grid system, aiming towards net zero."
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