During last night’s Full Council (14th January), Conservative Councillor for Wyboston Ward Councillor Sharan Sira’s presented a motion opposing the East Park Energy development in her ward. An industrial-scale solar farm and battery storage project of around 2,000 acres, across open countryside in North Bedfordshire - that equates to around 342,000 double-decker buses in size, equivalent to Gatwick Airport in open farmland.

The motion sets out serious concerns about the proposed solar and battery scheme, including the loss of high-quality farmland at a time when we should be strengthening domestic food security, and the potential for significant visual scarring across the countryside in Wyboston Ward and surrounding villages.

With the support of Mayor Tom Wootton, Conservative Leader Graeme Coombes and the rest of the Conservative Group, the motion, which was passed with amendments, called on the Council to press for clarity and enforceable commitments around environmental impacts, including potential flood and surface water risks. It also stresses the need to protect local wildlife and habitats and ensure meaningful community engagement throughout the process.

The motion also calls on the Council to write to the Secretary of State urging stronger national planning guidance, so that large-scale solar developments are properly sited and give due weight to food security, biodiversity, and rural community impacts.

Conservative Councillor for Wyboston Ward, Cllr Sharan Sira, said:

“We all support renewable energy but not at anywhere and not at any cost. Around 74% of this proposed scheme is on ‘Best and Most Versatile’ agricultural land, the kind of land we should be protecting for food production, not losing to development.

If this goes ahead as proposed, North Bedfordshire’s countryside risks being industrialised on an unprecedented scale, with local communities left to live with the long-term consequences.

That’s why I’m holding the developer’s feet to the fire. Residents will not be fobbed off with vague promises. Together with the Mayor, I am demanding clear answers and real, enforceable protections.”