Government drops plans for solar on new car parks

Following a call for evidence, the government has announced that it will not be taking forward a policy on solar canopies on new car parks.

CPRE is disappointed by this decision, which comes amid our calls for more than 60 per cent of solar energy to come from rooftops, car parks and previously- developed land, rather than carving up the countryside.

CPRE’s research has shown the damage caused by mega-scale solar on farmland – predominantly targeting high-grade agricultural land, with serious landscape and visual impacts. Far from building public support for clean power, it is eroding it, particularly in the east of England, where proposals are clustering and attracting high levels of objection.

On the other hand, some 82 per cent of people support rooftop solar, which generates cleaner energy while protecting the countryside for food, nature recovery and well-being. That’s why we welcomed the requirement for new homes, schools and hospitals to be fitted with solar PV.

The government has indicated it will take forward a series of consultations and policy on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, which is welcome, albeit making the disappointing announcement more difficult to understand.

CPRE’s Jackie Copley said: “Putting the brakes on car-park solar when seeking to promote electric-vehicle-charging is nonsensical. France already enjoys the benefits of requiring rooftop solar used in tandem with charging electric vehicles.

“Given the Climate Change Commitee report on adaptation, if anything government should be putting its foot firmly on the accelerator.”