Both government and the public agree that we must combat climate change by rapidly building more new renewables – solar farms, wind turbines, battery storage etc. The tricky questions are where to put them, and how to select the best trade-off between their visual impact and the necessity to protect our vital agriculture and landscapes, as well as other commercial interests.
Development has been rapid. First, before 2010, came more onshore wind applications, then solar and offshore wind from about 2012. There was a short pause between 2015 and 2018 as conservationists objected. Finally the upsurge exploded as the climate threat clarified, the government responded and then entrepreneurs pounced.
These renewables now usually complement each other – for instance, in cloudy winter weather the wind generally blows harder. Taken together with back-up gas, nuclear, imported supplies and batteries, the system should provide an effective low-emissions combination at a reasonable price. What is remarkable is how rapidly supply is increasing, how far government currently thinks we have to go, and therefore how much pressure will be put on local planning.
As of March 2025, most planned large wind farms were in Scotland, Wales and the Pennines, and most of the existing and planned large solar farms were in the east of England. Currently, 4.96GW of planning applications for wind farms to produce over 49.9MW each are being considered, 3.97GW have been granted, 0.72GW are operational and 0.12GW are being constructed. By 2030 the government hopes a capacity to produce a total of 45GW will have been installed. Note: 1GW = 1000MW.
Cleve Hill solar farm in Kent is the largest solar farm currently operational. So far there is no parallel in Cornwall – but applications are in for several clusters of 49.9MW solar farms along the A30, with more in the pipeline. Four large new proposed solar farms: one at Gwinear, near Hayle of 49MW, Mitchell of 70MW, Menear near St Austell of 50MW and Carnworthy Water of 14MW, have recently been rejected by Cornwall Council – but they are all likely be appealed.
There are obvious contrasts between the flat, empty (apart from many migrating birds) reclaimed marsh at Cleve Hill and the attractive fertile landscape at Lanreath near Lostwithiel, now expecting a large new application. In general Cornwall not only has much good farmland, but also a uniquely dispersed settlement pattern with a dense network of small villages and hamlets, rural businesses and historical sites, making it difficult to find suitable or acceptable locations.
Overall Cornwall is still predominantly rural – and also has (for England) a relatively sunny and windy climate; both will attract energy developers. However, government must recognise that too much solar or wind will inevitably risk harming our main asset: a still relatively unspoiled but obviously vulnerable and endangered, coast and countryside. Furthermore, this outstanding asset underlies much of Cornwall’s relative economic and commercial success.
Cornwall’s current rapid growth depends not only traditional beach holidays but also on a wide variety of inland attractions and residential possibilities. Some activities can be overdone and may need some controls, but if no one came Cornwall would be a much poorer and less vibrant place. The need for renewables should therefore be balanced, not only against agriculture and local residents’ interests, but also against the wider values, qualities and attractions of the countryside. In many parts of the country, the old Yorkshire-ism: ‘where there’s muck’…etc – i.e. development equals money – holds. Most successful British industrial and service trades require extensive building and equipment, but in some areas like Cornwall, the Cotswolds, the Lakes or Switzerland, say, the opposite is true and landscape appearance is everything. There has to be some renewables development – but it should respect that specialisation.
Cornwall Council’s Local Plan has developed rational criteria to assess applications. Hopefully developers will adjust to likely resistance. One solar magazine advises: ‘I think the main tip for developers is, as ever, the quality of the site. Is it low grade agricultural land? Is it a good location in terms of ecological designations, important landscapes and avoiding areas of outstanding natural beauty? How close is it to villages? …. [developers] have got to think about all these things, and not just think that this consent process will just fly through…’ (Solar Media’s Market Research). How this debate will pan out is uncertain but the government is enthusiastic for development, and it is possible that many projects Cornwall Council have quite reasonably rejected, will be tested at appeal and probably approved.
National CPRE does not fight local battles, but is effectively making a nation-wide argument – and often convincing government – that wherever possible factories, warehouses, homes and car park areas should have solar panels. For all new houses this is now mandatory. In detail CPRE argues that:
- At least 60% of solar energy should come from rooftop solar instead of 60% from ground mounted solar. The 60/40 ratio should be reversed. More should be on rooftops.
- Land Use Framework and Strategic Spatial Energy Plans should protect our best and most versatile soils. Ground mounted solar should be banned on ‘Best and Most Versatile’ (BMV) Grades 1 and 2.
- All new buildings – including commercial – should install solar as standard. Existing buildings especially large farm barns and warehouses should retrofit where possible.
- We should increase community engagement to initiate new local projects, and to monitor public energy and grid installations.
- We should upgrade the national high-voltage and regional-distribution grids so new solar and wind capacity is not wasted.
- We should ban ground mounted solar in National Parks and Landscapes. Elsewhere landscape sensitivity studies should assess what to protect.
- We should ensure woodland, trees, ponds, and hedgerows on all energy development sites are retained in line with the Environment Act 2021.
The development of onshore wind, solar batteries and other types of energy production raise similar problems, and require corresponding treatment.