A countryside charity has warned that farmland is being “decimated” by energy and housing schemes.
Devon CPRE has criticised the Government's recently published Land Use Framework, which sets out plans for land in England.
The framework, published by DEFRA, outlines long-term goals for food security, renewable energy, nature restoration, and housing.
Steve Crowther, chairman of Devon CPRE, said: "Devon CPRE was warning farming communities throughout last year that the Government was planning to decimate our farmland, and the Land Use Framework they have just published confirms it.
Steve Crowther, chairman Devon CPRE. (Image: supplied)
"10 per cent of land is to be taken – 1 per cent to go under solar and wind energy developments, and a further 9 per cent for re-wilding, nature, and habitat creation.
"That’s a total of more than two million acres of farmland earmarked, before you add in the 400,000 acres scheduled to go under housing."
Steve argued that land should be prioritised for food production, given the UK’s current self-sufficiency rate of 58 per cent.
He said: "We urgently need a radical overhaul of our attitude to farming and food supply, to prioritise homegrown food production."
Devon CPRE also raised concerns about rising numbers of solar farm applications, particularly in North Devon and Torridge.
The group has launched a public campaign in response, titled This Is Our Green Land – Mega Solar and Mega Batteries, KEEP OFF!
The campaign specifically opposes what Devon CPRE calls the Alverdiscott Solar Cluster, a concentration of projects near the Alverdiscott grid node.
Devon CPRE said that six solar schemes have already been approved in the area, occupying 433 acres.
New proposals at Bulworthy Farm (279 acres of solar panels) and West Webbery Farm (12 acres for battery storage) could raise the total to 725 acres across just 11 square miles.
The aim of the This Is Our Green Land campaign is to demonstrate to politicians locally and nationally that Devon’s lush, productive farmland and iconic landscape is not to be "colonised" by offshore developers chasing government subsidies.
He also suggested that the UK’s 2050 solar energy needs could be met through rooftop schemes and brownfield sites, rather than farmland.
Devon CPRE’s campaign is urging residents to sign a petition on their website.
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