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.
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He told Lincolnshire Live: "No member of the project team has ever described the soil quality at the West Burton 4 site as being 'degraded'.
"The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs mapping historically shows it to be Grade 3 land. We don't believe this has changed but are undertaking detailed soil surveys as part of our environmental assessment, in consultation with Bassetlaw District Council.
"All survey and assessment data will be published for public examination." Resident Frank Marriot, 75, who would live 'in the heart' of the solar farm were it to be approved, told Lincolnshire Live that the term 'degraded' was used in a meeting he had with a representative.
He said: "We spoke a lot about what was going on, and the 'degradation' of the land came up. That's when he used the term. And it was said that the crops that could be grown there would not be fit for human consumption.
"I was very annoyed when I heard it because it's a ridiculous statement to make. They've been told before that good crops can be grown, but they want to make it out to be bad."
Chris Hardy, whose family farms the land adjacent to the planned solar farm, dismissed the sentiment as "absolute rubbish". He said that he didn't hear the claim made directly, but was worried it had the potential to mislead the public.
He told Lincolnshire Live: "Crops have been grown in the past and crops could be grown in the future. Even if the wheat goes to animals, it still serves human consumption.
"It's not true, but people who read it could think it is. It's a low blow, and it's insulting."
Campaigners in the past have raised concerns that solar farms could have a negative impact on food production due to the amount of land being earmarked for development.
