County Council calls for support in ‘Stop the Solar Land Grab’ campaign

Staffordshire residents are being invited to back a county-wide campaign aimed at protecting farmland from large-scale solar developments.

Staffordshire County Council says increasing numbers of proposals for solar panel installations and battery storage sites are being put forward on agricultural land across the county. The authority is now urging Government to introduce a national strategy that carefully balances the need for renewable energy with the need to protect land used for food production.

Leading the call is cabinet member for connectivity Andrew Mynors, who says the council fully supports renewable energy—but believes the current approach risks putting valuable farmland under pressure.

“We absolutely support renewable energy - but not when it threatens the farmland that puts food on our tables. We need a balanced approach that protects both food and energy security, not one which prioritises one over the other,” he said.

Cllr Mynors said he has spoken with communities where applications have already been submitted, and many residents feel overwhelmed by the planning process.

“I have spoken to the communities affected by these applications. They feel overwhelmed and it is not fair that they are left to navigate complex planning processes on their own.

“I recognise farmers should be able to choose what’s best for them, but, as a principle we think solar panels belong on rooftops, commercial buildings and brownfield sites - not on Staffordshire’s glorious countryside.”

The campaign, titled “Stop the Solar Land Grab”, is calling on the Government to take a more coordinated approach when deciding where renewable energy and battery storage projects should be located.

As part of the latest phase of the campaign, residents are being encouraged to:

• Sign the campaign petition

• Write to their local MP

• Share the campaign with friends and family

Cllr Mynors said public support will help strengthen Staffordshire’s message.

“I’ve written to the Government to demand a national strategy that protects productive farmland, but that alone is not enough.

“We want to make Staffordshire’s voice heard and we need people to sign the petition, write to their MP and share the campaign with family and friends.

“Thousands of voices united behind this campaign will send a clear message that Government cannot ignore, and together we can Stop the Solar Land Grab.”

Residents can find the campaign pledge and further details online via the county council’s Let’s Talk Staffordshire platform. A video message from Cllr Mynors has also been released alongside the campaign.