Can we avoid conflict between local residents, developers, landowners and farmers?
In this opening episode of Road2Zero we take a look at one major consequence of decarbonising the electricity supply – this is the growing number of applications to construct utility scale solar farms in the countryside.
A typical example of this is Woolpots Solar Farm which is located in North Yorkshire next to the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Following that we look into two of the issues raised by such developments. Firstly, are there better places to locate solar power facilities than on productive agricultural land? We talk to Professor Mark Barrett of University College London.
Secondly, is there a better process for selecting sites for solar farms which averts conflict between developers, local communities and farmers? We talk to Chris Stratton OBE, an experienced land use planner.