Grade 3b land confirmed suitable for solar farm development

Former Defra secretary George Eustice has been forced to set the record straight on solar farm planning guidance after suggesting that poorer quality grade 3b land should be excluded from solar farm development.

Government guidance to planning authorities calls for a “strong presumption” against solar farms on the best and most versatile (BMV) land – land that is classified in law as Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3a.

See also: Wales to clamp down on solar farms on most productive land

But when Mr Eustice gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee in June, he said  BMV land also included grade 3b land.

He has since come under pressure from the solar industry to correct his mistake amid fears that local planning authorities (LPAs), farmers and landowners were taking him at face value, so threatening future investment in solar energy.

Correction

In one of his final acts as Defra secretary, Mr Eustice has now made that correction in a letter to the committee, stating that “BMV land is actually defined… as land above, but not including, grade 3b”.

But, Mr Eustice added that “where a planning authority is considering a development on 3b land, there is also a need for them to consider whether there is any land that is classified as grade 4 or below as an alternative”.

He also pointed to comments by the new Conservative party leadership, which had “pledged to take further action to strengthen protections for agricultural land”.

Muddied waters

One of the bodies that had demanded Mr Eustice correct his 3b error was trade association Solar Energy UK.

It suggested the mistake was already affecting the development of solar farms, with reports of LPAs quoting his statement in planning inquiries.

Chief executive Chris Hewett said: “George Eustice’s mistaken views really muddied the waters on the planning rules for solar farms.

“His comments were a most unwelcome headache for the industry, sowing confusion among planning authorities on how they should consider the many projects that they have before them.”

Rethink

But campaigners argue that a rethink is needed on land classification for solar development.

Farmer Emma Sturdy, who is campaigning to save 53ha of farmland in Old Malton, Yorkshire, from solar development, insists that the difference between 3b and 3a land is “minute”.

“Grade 3b is far from poor agricultural land and, given the situation in the world right now and the emphasis on using every acre of good land for growing food, the land classifications are out of date,” she said.