I have
always been a strong supporter of wave power in Cornwall, but I am very opposed
to field scale solar farms which are scarring the Cornish countryside.
With the
powerful Atlantic swell off the Cornish coast we have a wave power resource
that is second to none and Wave Hub is the first facility of its type in the
world able to test commercial scale arrays of devices.
I have
always championed wave power and worked to secure Marine Energy Park status in
Hayle. There are several major wave energy developers now seeking to locate in
Hayle and our strong heritage in engineering means we have the companies that
can really make wave power work.
There is a
place for solar panels on roofs, but field scale solar developments damage the
countryside and take good farmland out of production. What has happened with
all those new solar developments between Chiverton roundabout and Carland Cross
is an absolute tragedy and will damage other industries like farming and
tourism. As Farming Minister, I decided to abolish farm subsidies on any land
occupied by solar developments and I have pressed for Cornwall Council to say
no to more of these awful developments.