Epping Forest MP, Dr Neil Hudson, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Green Belt and preserving vital agricultural land from inappropriate development. Speaking in a House of Commons debate on floating solar panels, Dr Hudson emphasised the need for an approach that protects both the environment and the nation’s food security. He again has raised concerns about inappropriate proposed solar projects coming down the line for Epping Forest, such as the plans coming forward for a 237-acre solar plant on farmland and greenbelt between Thornwood and Epping Upland.
An avid supporter of protecting our environment, Dr Hudson has long campaigned to ensure that vital farmland and green spaces are shielded from unsuitable projects that threaten their integrity.
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson said:
"My hon. and gallant Friend is talking about the use of prime agricultural land, and food security is part of national security, as is energy security and, indeed, water security.
"However, there is a huge trend of prime agricultural land being devoted to solar plants, including in my constituency of Epping Forest, where a new plan is about to go in for a 237-acre plot between Thornwood and Epping Upland. He is articulating alternatives for the placing of solar panels, and there are plenty of such places up and down the land—brownfield sites, reservoirs, railway sidings, rooftops of agricultural buildings—so does he agree that we must protect prime farmland and the green belt, and make sure that solar panels go in the right places?"
Following the debate, Dr Neil Hudson MP and Shadow DEFRA Minister said:
“Food security is national security. In an increasingly uncertain world, it is essential that the UK maintains the ability to produce food domestically.
“I fully support the transition to renewable energy, but this must not come at the cost of our food production capacity. We must ensure that high-quality agricultural land is preserved so that our food security is robustly protected.
"Equally, we are so blessed in Epping Forest with our precious Green Belt, which must remain safeguarded. I will continue to work to defend it from inappropriate development.”
To read more about Dr Hudson’s work to protect the Green Belt, please see:
https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/epping-forest-mp-stands-precious-green-belt
