Petition calls to stop Epping Forest’s agriculture and greenbelt land turning into solar farms
Communities / Thu 26th Jun 2025 at 05:44am
CONSERVATIVE District Councillor Holly Whitbread, District Councillor for Epping West and Rural covering Epping Upland and County Councillor for Epping and Theydon Bois covering Thornwood Common, has launched a petition opposing the proposed Upland Solar Farm, which would cover approximately 96 hectares (237 acres) of prime agricultural and Green Belt land between Thornwood Common and Epping Upland.
The petition calls on Epping Forest District Council’s Planning Committee to reject the application, and on the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State, should an appeal be lodged, to uphold any decision to protect this treasured rural landscape.
Councillor Holly Whitbread said, “This proposed solar farm represents the vandalism of our green belt and valuable farming land a resource that our community deeply treasures,”
“I am aware that the Labour Government’s policies against farmers have made it more and more difficult to maintain their farmland with huge costs and tax bills. Sadly, we are seeing the consequences of Labour’s cruel attack on our local farming community. It is important we fight to protect this land and the rural character of our area. If these plans were to go through, they would be a blight on the landscape and cause irreversible damage.”
The site, situated on both sides of Upland Road near Hayleys Manor Farm, is classified as productive, high-quality farmland essential for food security. While renewable energy is vital, Councillor Whitbread and those supporting the petition emphasise that it must not come at the expense of the best and most versatile agricultural land or Green Belt designated to protect the countryside from inappropriate development.
This proposal is one of eight solar farm applications across the Epping Forest District, many targeting Green Belt and high-grade farmland, cumulatively threatening the environment, biodiversity, and local communities.
The petition advocates for renewable energy to be directed towards suitable locations such as brownfield sites, rooftops, and degraded or low-grade land, rather than irreplaceable farmland that sustains wildlife and provides green space for future generations.
Residents and supporters are urged to join the campaign and sign the petition to safeguard Epping Forest’s countryside.
Sign the petition here: https://chng.it/Qwskg26MXz
Adrienne
2025-06-26 08:27:52
What happens when we need our small farms again because we should be enabling more local small farms so that our country can be more securely self sufficient and not reliant totally on outside imports of food. Don't get me wrong I am all for reliable energy sources.But look at the wind farms.I mean they are ugly and a danger to the little birds and marine life. Not only that why not save space and build cuboids and if you actually had a little forward thinking you could work with farmers and use the land for farming too. Double the money from products as well.would kill two birds with one stone. Use a little common sense. But there surely would take up less space and save our green spaces.If we
David Forman
2025-06-26 09:41:20
The bang for bucks from solar power doesn't make sense when constructed on prime agricultural land. Put the solar collectors on buildings like warehouses. Holly Whitbread makes a very valid point about "Labour’s cruel attack on our local farming community." Consequently, I've signed the petition and chipped in £10.
Seamus
2025-06-26 10:03:57
Solar farms on perfectly useable arable green farming land, makes a mockery of the governments claim since the Ukraine war began of "Making sure we have food security for the British people" . Have they confused solar panels with shredded wheat?
Adrienne
2025-06-26 12:11:13
Honestly,the grasp on the word looks after your local food supply does seem to add up.what happens if the wonderful farmers are lost for ever. A shining example even King Charles has an eden project. He knows exactly what natural farming is all about and skills that have been lost .To nurture what would have otherwise been lost.Also the Princes trust. I think he may have a point.I have not really read up on Split energy. But I will reiterate this.Once the skills are lost they are gone forever. Even I grow a little food in my garden which I am lucky enough to have . I tend to grow a little salad.Just to keep my hand in .It is a long job but everyone says how much better it tastes.. If everything goes to pot we need food as well . Without food we will go extinct. Place solar panel on blocks of flats. That way you have more panels per square foot. Makes sense to me .And we may be able to save our beautiful country side and the flora and gains that makes the world that we live in so unique. You may well think I am a bit off a crank.But I love looking at co we d in field and although I know they are part of our food chain.If we stopped eating meat I fear that they would xextinct too.hugs. If I have
Guy Flegman
2025-06-26 12:13:00
Before you build a solar farm you must first kill everything on the land. There are plenty of studies out there on the huge environmental damage these things cause. It’s a no for hanks from me.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-06-26 14:55:40
But she and her Council are happy to see valuable arable land and commercial greenhouses swept away at Latton Priory, South West of Harlow and at Water Lane to make way for thousands of new homes. I think this is more about trying to please her electorate rather than the loss of Green Belt land all the time looking over her shoulder at the election bulldozer known as the Reform Party. I am very happy to sign this petition but politicians need to be be honest and consistent with their views.
Ted
2025-06-26 15:28:57
I don't know, We complain about climate change , and we complain about solar energy panels I am totally confused.
Adrienne
2025-06-26 22:22:29
Well Ted I think the point is.It is a waste of good land.when if you put solar panels on vertical high buildings or wide buildings the square footage enables you to fit more panels per square foot.Thus eliminating the environmental damage to our beautiful scenery.. Perhaps they could fit them on the public health building.That has a lot of square footage.That being said doesn't one have to refit and maintain them.I know they were talking about building small power stations.Perhapswe could take a leaf out of Canada's book and build some fusion power stations.
Adrienne
2025-06-26 22:28:12
I was watching the house of lords debate today.They were reiterating what I was talking about.The country even though imports goods should for it's own good be able to produce and provide it's citizens with food. Also they were talking about disease control And dodgy meat being imported.It was very inspiring. Did anyone else get the chance to watch it.
David Forman
2025-06-27 09:07:58
Adrienne, I will try to watch the Lord's debate over the weekend.
Adrienne
2025-06-27 12:33:37
It was very insightful. They were also talking about carbon absorbing and marine life. They were reviewing the policy of introducing giant seaweed a vigorous plant to help with this.Eben though I am not a fan of an vigorously growing plant.This was in the end not thought to be a good idea .Which is sensible considering the ramifications of an out of control weed. But a few other more sensitive subjects came up. I was wondering if the China conclusion was correct.Rben though the treatment and badly paid employees has been televised in the past.We have still allowed it. I have plenty more to say But I can only talk about public interest or things that have been televised. The official secrets act prevenrs me explaining in future.. That being said your may be wondering who the hell I am.Dince mv husband died a few years ago. He protected me from the machine..He was a freelance military journalist. Jets etc. I have been extensively used. I feel I could stop the war in the Ukraine.. I am just emerging.I believe in the truths do my morals and ethics have been bent a little. But I am a brave lady. So if the UK government need my help they only have to knock on my foot. I hope the Editor has the sense to alter this message.I am very frightened. Hugs a very grateful nobody.🎉👍
Ted
2025-06-27 14:27:04
James Bond
Adrienne
2025-06-27 15:05:27
He is a man Ted.That is twice. Perhaps you could watch the lord's debate too. It was very interesting. Could answer your questions.Even though there was in my option some back tracking . I think they were pretty open about the small farmers. And the need to be less dependent and more capable of looking after ourselves if there is a cattle disease. Obviously, we want disease free food to enter our country.The ramifications of importing substandard live stock etc. And what a good standard our live stock husbandry has. We certainly do enjoy a sheltered life.Quite rightly our food standards should be exceptional We don't need our livestock to be wiped out now do we Ted.You remember how many animals were culled with foot and mouth disease. That's the food part of it explained to you. Mrs Money Penny. 😘
abbie
2025-06-27 19:30:31
Farmers were flogging off their land for housing and solar long before Labour came along and asked them to pay a discounted rate of IHT, so that is just rubbish. All that is holding farmers back from carpeting the countryside with these things is our degraded National Grid and the inability to connect to the network. There is a high power Transmission Line going through Theydon & Stapleford - That is why there are so many applications round there.
Leave a Comment Below:
14 Comments for Petition calls to stop Epping Forest’s agriculture and greenbelt land turning into solar farms: