Campaigners seek High Court ruling to question Ed Miliband's 'desecration' of farmland for solar

Goole and Pocklington MP David Davis said solar infrastructure not only places a risk to food security, but also the quality of life for countryside communities, the natural environment and surrounding wildlife

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband may no longer be smiling as North Yorkshire residents seek a judicial review which they hope could help set a precedent in limiting the number of applications which gain Government approval in the future and to realise the importance of protecting the UK's best most versatile agricultural land from solar.
Image:

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband may no longer be smiling as North Yorkshire residents seek a judicial review which they hope could help set a precedent in limiting the number of applications which gain Government approval in the future and to realise the importance of protecting the UK's best most versatile agricultural land from solar.

Rural communities in Yorkshire are seeking to take the Government to court in a bid to both question the decision making process undertaken for approving solar farms and the impact projects have in causing...

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

 

More on Politics

Debate secured to stop 'rural antagonising' shotgun licence merger

Debate secured to stop 'rural antagonising' shotgun licence merger

Shotgun ownership is an essential tool of work within rural and land-based industries, but has the Government taken a 'one-sided view' which will pose a risk to farmers' livelihoods?

Chris Brayford
clock 20 January 2026 • 4 min read
Letters: "If Gov policies are not in the interests of the farming community, the country, the economy or food security, just who is benefiting?'

Letters: "If Gov policies are not in the interests of the farming community, the country, the economy or food security, just who is benefiting?'

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Trevor Black, York, argues that Government and political policies are undermining British farming, food security and rural communities in favour of external interests

Trevor Black
clock 20 January 2026 • 2 min read
'The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong', says PM as Trump threatens to raise tariffs by 10%

'The use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong', says PM as Trump threatens to raise tariffs by 10%

Sir Keir Starmer calls for calm as row over US's desire to buy Greenland escalates

clock 19 January 2026 • 2 min read