Staffordshire councillors have urged the Government to set out a clear position on solar farms and battery storage schemes, following months of rising pressure on local farmland.
Pressure growing across rural areas
Farmers in parts of Stafford Borough, Staffordshire Moorlands and South Staffordshire have spoken of receiving regular calls from companies hoping to buy land for renewable energy projects. Some say the contact has become a daily occurrence while they are trying to get on with their work.
Councillor Andrew Mynors told colleagues at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday 19 November that the approach was taking its toll on several farmers the authority has visited in recent months.
He said, “When we have been out to farms over the last six months it has been very difficult for farmers. They’re trying to get on with their work and they’ve been having phone calls continuously, every day, asking ‘can we discuss to sell your land for a solar farm’.”
He added that while some landowners may be open to conversations, others are finding the pressure stressful as they balance food production with the rising demand for renewable energy projects.
Call for clarity from Government
In a report to cabinet, councillors said national demand for energy is set to rise sharply, with much of it expected to come from renewable sources. They argued that policy has not kept pace with this shift, leaving councils and communities managing a wave of speculative proposals without a clear framework.
The report stated, “We feel the Government is trying to run before it can walk by allowing an uncontrolled growth of renewable energy and battery storage sites without full consideration of the issues and how they are affecting local communities.”
The council wants a wider strategic approach that balances energy needs with food production and ensures that rural areas are not left to handle the bulk of development.
County farms estate view
Cabinet members have previously set out their position on the authority’s own county farms estate. Solar panels on farm buildings are supported as a way to cut carbon emissions. However, large-scale battery storage or full solar farm developments would not be encouraged on council farmland.
Councillor Chris Large said last month, “Where we encourage solar panels onto farm buildings, that will be to reduce the carbon footprint of that, and that’s a sensible thing to do. We would advocate that, but not the BESS solar battery farms.”
The issue coincides with separate discussions between the council and the National Farmers’ Union at the English Winter Fair, held at the County Showground near Stafford. The event returned this year after being cancelled in 2024 due to bluetongue disease.
Views from the NFU
Jeremy Lowe, NFU Staffordshire county adviser, said solar farms can provide an important source of diversification income for landowners, but the location and cumulative impact of developments must be considered.
He said, “National planning guidance and NFU policy both express a preference for large scale solar farm development to be located as far as possible on lower quality agricultural land, avoiding the most productive and versatile soils.”
He added that rooftop solar should be encouraged as a way of generating energy without taking land out of food production.
The cabinet is expected to continue pressing for national guidance as more applications and early approaches are made in the county.
