²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Pensioner wins 'landmark' case to halt Ed Miliband's solar 'revolution' on prime agricultural land

78-year-old retired scientist Chala Fiske has won a seven-year battle with Test Valley Borough Council to stop a solar farm from being built on farm land. She said the land would be better suited for agriculture than a solar development

clock • 4 min read
Chala Fiske, a Hampshire pensioner, said: "The problem I had with it is this country cannot provide its own food. We have got about 40% food security and if we have the war, and we are close to a war, we just will not be able to do anything. We know we cannot even fight a war, so food security on an island is very, very important, it really is. I am not against the solar farm so much, I am against it because it is on good land."
Image:

Chala Fiske, a Hampshire pensioner, said: "The problem I had with it is this country cannot provide its own food. We have got about 40% food security and if we have the war, and we are close to a war, we just will not be able to do anything. We know we cannot even fight a war, so food security on an island is very, very important, it really is. I am not against the solar farm so much, I am against it because it is on good land."

A 'landmark' ruling in Hampshire has dented Ed Miliband's plans to build solar farms on agricultural land. Chala Fiske won a seven-year battle with Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) last month to halt...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

BNG National Habitat Bank Creation & Unit

£±Ê°¿´¡

FARM LOANS & RE-MORTGAGES

£±Ê°¿´¡

Outdoor Beef Finishing Coral System, available

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Farm Business

Letters: "Get the plough out and farm every last inch of your farm like it's World War Three"

Letters: "Get the plough out and farm every last inch of your farm like it's World War Three"

Ben Stanley, Derbyshire, writes about delayed SFI payments and how those who missed out should think themselves lucky

²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian
clock 29 April 2025 • 2 min read
Workers and families 'devastated' as Arla plans to close Settle milk plant

Workers and families 'devastated' as Arla plans to close Settle milk plant

GMB Union said Arla's decision to relocate production from Settle to Lockerbie by 2026 could see 130 employees lose their jobs at the North Yorkshire dairy facility

clock 29 April 2025 • 5 min read
Farming Matters: "There are steps we can take as farmers to influence farm profitability"

Farming Matters: "There are steps we can take as farmers to influence farm profitability"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Caroline Millar, who grows malting barley, oats, and wheat on the family farm in Angus, as well as producing Scotch Beef and Scotch lamb. She is also sector lead for Scottish Agritourism

clock 28 April 2025 • 3 min read