Miliband approves another solar mega-farm on farmland
© Tim Scrivener The government has approved the UK’s second-largest solar farm – despite fierce criticism from opposition politicians, campaigners and residents over the loss of prime agricultural land.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband has granted development consent for the 1,619ha (4,000-acre) One Earth Solar Farm on the Nottinghamshire-Lincolnshire border, near North Clifton.
The 740MW development is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 200,000 homes a year, making it the UK’s second-largest solar project. It is the 30th nationally significant clean energy project approved by the government since July 2024.
See also: Record 157 solar farms approved amid food security fears
The One Earth scheme, developed by PS Renewables and Perigus Energy, also includes battery energy storage systems and associated infrastructure.
Announcing the approval, Mr Miliband said: “The only way to have energy security is if we take a pro-growth approach to building more clean energy in Britain. For two years that is exactly what this government has done.”
The decision follows the approval of the Peartree Hill and Dean Moor solar farms last week and comes as ministers press ahead with planning reforms aimed at accelerating major infrastructure projects.
However, opposition MPs condemned the decision, arguing ministers were sacrificing productive farmland and ignoring the concerns of local communities.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho wrote on X: “Ed Miliband just approved the country’s second biggest solar farm. 4,000 acres. Half of it on our best quality farmland.
“This is not the free market at play – farmers are competing with heavily subsidised solar developers. Food security is national security and we are deliberately driving it off a cliff.”
Ed Miliband just approved the country's second biggest solar farm.
4,000 acres.
Half of it on our best quality farmland.
This is not the free market at play – farmers are competing with heavily subsidised solar developers.
Food security is national security and we are… pic.twitter.com/7R7j9gO4Tu
— Claire Coutinho (@ClaireCoutinho) July 8, 2026
Reform UK MP for Newark Robert Jenrick also criticised the decision, writing on Facebook and X: “Ed Miliband approves 4,000-acre One Earth solar farm. Labour have declared war on Nottinghamshire.”
He added: “This is devastating news for local residents. Many people’s lives will be ruined by this decision.”
Residents have previously raised concerns about the scale of the development, its visual impact and the potential for increased flood risk around North Clifton.
LUF solar strategy
The government’s recently published Land Use Framework says that even with the expansion of solar needed to meet the government’s clean power ambitions, renewables (solar and onshore wind combined) are expected to occupy only about 1% of England’s land by 2035, rising to about 2% by 2050.
Ministers say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exposed Britain’s vulnerability to volatile global fossil fuel markets, and that expanding solar will strengthen energy security by generating more homegrown electricity while helping to stabilise energy bills.
George Freeman launches Norfolk Solar Summit
The decision comes as former minister and Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman prepares to host a Norfolk Solar Summit in September to examine the cumulative impact of large-scale solar developments across the county.
Mr Freeman said: “Norfolk’s countryside is our most precious asset – at the heart of our vital tourism and farming economy.”
He added: “We all need to come together to seriously address this issue. It’s time to put an end to this reckless expansion and take a hard look at the long-term consequences of our energy choices.”
The summit will bring together MPs, councillors, industry experts and community groups to discuss the impact of proposed solar developments on farmland, wildlife and rural communities.
A venue and date have yet to be announced.
