A claim that farmland earmarked for a solar farm development could not grow crops "fit for human consumption" has caused a clash between campaigners and developers. There are plans for a major solar farm at the West Burton site near Retford, and it is alleged a representative of the landscape architect company Liz Lake Associates said the land was "degraded" on a visit to residents.
Members of the No Solar Desert campaign group, who oppose the plans, have rejected the idea that the land could not grow suitable crops and that the land was "degraded". However, whether or not the claim was even made in the first place has been disputed by a spokesperson for the company behind the project.
A spokesperson for No Solar Desert said in a statement: "So far, these claims have not yet been backed up by any evidence and have been openly challenged by local farmers and residents." However, a spokesperson for Island Green Power, who is behind the project, said the land had never been described in such a way.
