Member Sign Up
Donate

The Sunshine Bill – We urgently need your help! January 2025

On January 17th, a Private Members’ Bill goes to Second Reading in Parliament. It’s promoted by Max Wilkinson MP and its title is the ‘New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill’- aka The Sunshine Bill. It aims to make all new homes have solar panels fitted as standard – something that many of us have been calling for, for years.

The government is on a mission to achieve Net Zero by 2035, and that means a huge investment is being made in solar energy sites, almost entirely situated on green fields, productive farmland and cherished landscapes. The targets could be reached by putting solar panels on 250,000 hectares of existing rooftops, mandating them on all newbuilds, and using brownfield public land such as car parks. But of course, the investors go for the cheap option – our precious green fields.

CPRE was created for just such moments as these. 100 years ago it was the spread of motor transport, roads and ribbon development that threatened our countryside and brought CPRE into being. Today it’s the dash for Net Zero.

WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure enough MPs attend parliament and vote in favour of rooftop solar. We are asking YOU, and everyone you know who cares about the countryside, to write to their MP requesting that they attend the debate on January 17th and ensure the Bill goes through.
It is quick and simple to do, just email your MP directly.

This is what I have written to my MP – because I wanted the threat to Devon and other key farming areas to be properly recognised! Feel free to copy and paste into your email.

 

“As a constituent of yours, I urge you to support Max Wilkinson’s upcoming Private Members Bill on ‘New Homes (Solar Generation)’, on the 17th January. The Bill would ensure all new homes are fitted with solar panels – at last. 

The countryside is under unprecedented threat. There are new proposals in the pipeline to cover 17,000 acres of South-West Norfolk with solar panels – taking the equivalent of more than 50 farms out of production in the nation’s ‘breadbasket’. Already some 30 Devon farms have been lost in this way, in the region that, along with the East of England, provides the lion’s share of the UK’s food.

Yet research from CPRE (The Campaign to Protect Rural England) shows that 60% of the UK’s solar targets could be delivered on rooftops by 2035 and 160% by 2050.  This bill is pivotal for unlocking the power of rooftop solar, setting the UK on the road to achieving its clean power target without the lazy, cheap option of covering our farmland with glass.

I am sure you will commit to supporting the Sunshine Bill on the 17th January.”

I urge you to do this today, it takes minutes. Please also forward this to anyone you know who might want to do the same. This is our moment, and we must not fail! 

Thank you,

Steve Crowther

Chairman, Devon CPRE

related posts

STOP PRESS! Holsworthy Beacon – Devon’s mega solar proposal

We have just heard that Beacon Solar have withdrawn their NSIP application for the 2,700 acre project at Holsworthy Beacon, citing a need for ‘further assessment’. While this is good news, we do not regard it as an end to the threat. Therefore please continue to sign and share the Petition devoncpre.org.uk so that we are all the more prepared if and when the application

Read Post

9 dwellings, Westleigh, North Devon – Appeal lodged

Folowing the refusal by North Devon District Council (ref 80423), an appeal has now been lodged. Appeal ref 6003960. The deadline for comments to be received by the Planning Inspectorate is 4th March. Comments can be made online at acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. We had objected to the application, supporting our members of the local community who oppose the scheme.

Read Post

80 MW BESS, Land at Newlands Farm, Axminster -Appeal lodged

Land At Newlands Farm, Crewkerne Road, Axminster Construction and operation of up to a 80MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). An appeal has now been lodged, and an Inquiry will be held. The Inquiry is currently scheduled to commence on 12 May 2026 and is expected to be take place over 4 days. Comments can be made online a acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. Quoting appeal reference: 6003095 The

Read Post

Application for 24 dwellings at Bridgerule near Holsworthy receives numerous objections, including our own

We've submitted an objection to Torridge District Council concerning an application to build 24 houses at Canal Rise, Bridgerule. The application lacks several necessary assessments and surveys, including heritage, arboricultural, agricultural land classification, access and drainage, without which the proposal cannot demonstrate compliance with up-to-date policies

Read Post

Huge numbers of objection to latest slurry lagoon in Mid Devon

We've joined over 150 people in submitting an objection to the application for a slurry pit at Rhode Farm near Tiverton. We are concerned that the application lacks critical information on environmental, odour, and visual impacts, and therefore it is not possible to determine whether the development would be acceptable. Additional information should be provided before any decision is made. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/outcry-over-slurry-lagoon-plans-10757171

Read Post

Torbay Local Plan Consultation

Torbay Local Plan 2025-45 Consultation Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18). Torbay's Local Plan is out for consultation - closing date is 2nd February 2026. For more information and to make your views known see: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/policies/planning-policies/local-plan-update/

Read Post