Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the maximum amount of best and most versatile land is that could be (a) used in a solar farm development designated as NSIP and (b) granted a Development Consent Order.

There is no set maximum amount of best and most versatile land that may be used in a nationally significant infrastructure development. Each case is judged on its own merits in line with the requirements in the Planning Act 2008 and relevant policy, such as the National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) which states at 2.10.29: “Where the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary, poorer quality land should be preferred to higher quality land avoiding the use of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land where possible”, and at 2.10.30: “Whilst the development of ground mounted solar arrays is not prohibited on Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, or sites designated for their natural beauty, or recognised for ecological or archaeological importance, the impacts of such are expected to be considered”.