Plans for another solar farm in Melton could power 10,000 homes but neighbours say the scheme would “destroy” prime farming land.
Melton Borough Council is set to debate an application to turn land near Freeby, spanning the size of 100 football pitches, into a solar farm on Thursday, May 14.
Plans also outline a battery storage system, new tracks, fencing, lighting and CCTV.
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Around a fifth of the space marked for development is classed as “best and most versatile” agricultural land, while around three-quarters is classed as “moderate quality”.
Trenching in 2025 revealed that ancient remains lie under the fields. The layout has been amended to avoid these areas.
The proposals have been called into the planning committee after more than 100 neighbours made representations – 86 were in support and 23 were against.
While many residents responded that the development would be great for energy security, some said it could threaten food security.
In her letter to the council, resident Mrs Beverley Howes said: “Whilst we’re not against solar panels per se, we wholeheartedly object to them being put on yet more greenfield sites when there are plenty of brownfield sites that would be far more suitable/appropriate.
“There are two other solar farms within metres of this application which are currently going through the planning process too.
“Productive farmland would be lost for decades, undermining local food security and rural livelihoods. Also, particularly with the current global conflicts and unrest, we should be holding onto prime grazing and arable land, not building on it, so that we can sustain food production for our nation.”
Another resident, Brian Kettel, wrote: “Sir Keir Starmer gave a talk to the National Farmers’ Union before the 2024 election and said he wouldn’t touch tenant farmers’ land. Here we have two tenant farmers losing their livelihood.
“Melton is fast becoming the rural capital of solar farms, not the rural capital of food.”
The applicant, Downing Renewable Developments, says the project will be decommissioned in 40 years’ time.
In planning documents, they argue the scheme would make a “significant contribution” to local and national energy goals, including net zero.
They add that a biodiversity net gain of more than 35 per cent is planned, with 11 hectares of land left as meadows and sheep able to graze beneath and in between the panels.
Leicestershire County Council (LCC) Ecology has removed its holding objection in light of this.
Officers concluded the benefits of the proposals outweigh potential harm, and have recommended that conditional planning permission be granted. However, the final decision will sit with councillors next week.
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