Pensioner wins 'landmark' case to halt Ed Miliband's solar 'revolution' on prime agricultural land

78-year-old retired scientist Chala Fiske has won a seven-year battle with Test Valley Borough Council to stop a solar farm from being built on farm land. She said the land would be better suited for agriculture than a solar development

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Chala Fiske, a Hampshire pensioner, said: "The problem I had with it is this country cannot provide its own food. We have got about 40% food security and if we have the war, and we are close to a war, we just will not be able to do anything. We know we cannot even fight a war, so food security on an island is very, very important, it really is. I am not against the solar farm so much, I am against it because it is on good land."
Image:

Chala Fiske, a Hampshire pensioner, said: "The problem I had with it is this country cannot provide its own food. We have got about 40% food security and if we have the war, and we are close to a war, we just will not be able to do anything. We know we cannot even fight a war, so food security on an island is very, very important, it really is. I am not against the solar farm so much, I am against it because it is on good land."

A 'landmark' ruling in Hampshire has dented Ed Miliband's plans to build solar farms on agricultural land. Chala Fiske won a seven-year battle with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) last month to halt...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Business

Aldi tops Scottish supermarket sourcing league

Aldi tops Scottish supermarket sourcing league

NFU Scotland's ShelfWatch shows retailer has increased its Scottish-sourced products 6% year-on-year

clock 30 October 2025 • 2 min read
Tenant farmers reveal toll of financial strain and uncertainty in the sector

Tenant farmers reveal toll of financial strain and uncertainty in the sector

Speaking at the NFU’s Tenant Farmer conference in Malvern last week, farmers shared their worries for the sector as financial difficulties, mental health and changing policy burden them

clock 28 October 2025 • 1 min read
Farm Assurance Review says progress is being made, but there is still work to do

Farm Assurance Review says progress is being made, but there is still work to do

Government agencies singled out as 'disappointing' as organisations claim it may take longer to achieve recommendations

clock 27 October 2025 • 3 min read