Conservatives question Reform UK on handling of Nottinghamshire solar farm applications
An opposition councillor has put pressure on Reform leadership to continue challenging rural solar farm applications.
At the May 22 meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council, the first since Reform UK won control of the authority, the new cabinet member for transport and environment was questioned on Nigel Farage’s statement that a council led by his party could say ‘no’ to a solar farm in Staffordshire.
Newly-elected Conservative councillor Janette Barlow said: “Under Conservative control last year, this council expressed strong concern that decisions on solar farm applications had been rushed through by the Labour secretary of state for energy security and net zero without taking full account of local views and expert advice.
“Conservative councillors proposed and voted for a motion recognising that solar farm applications in Nottinghamshire carry significant implications for policy areas within this council’s remit — for example flooding, highways and other place related matters.
“The council resolved that, when acting as a statutory consultee on solar farm applications, it would make representations clearly setting out the environmental and infrastructure impacts on any such applications.
“Since the local elections Nigel Farage has stated that Reform councils have the choice to say no to proposed solar farms.
“Can the cabinet member explain how this choice will be exercised in practice within the constraints of the planning rules which apply to all councils?”
Ms Barlow represents the Coddington division, where resident of North Clifton and South Clifton have been campaigning against proposals for the One Earth Solar Farm — something which she lent her voice to in the run-up to elections.
Bert Bingham, cabinet member for transport and environment, said : “[I have] about an hour in post so I have to be briefed on the topic. I keep an open mind and I need to get to grips with it to understand what is a complex situation before coming to a public position.
“You’ll have a follow up in the coming weeks — I will look into this issue, so I will be pleased to discuss it with you in the meantime.”
Ms Barlow then raised further concerns about media reports that production of a large proportion of solar panels has been linked to forced labour.
She added: “[This] should be unacceptable to this council given its previously stated commitments to stop modern slavery — a commitment I hope the Reform administration will carry forward.
“Would the cabinet member join with me in ensuring such concerns are highlighted in relation to any solar farm application in Nottinghamshire?”
Mr Bingham reiterated his earlier answer.
