We live in solar farm capital of Britain, Labour want us to give them energy but we just want our country life back
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Cornwall has quickly become the UK's new solar farm capital and the rolling fields and winding lanes are at risk being replaced by seas of black glass brought in by greedy energy companies from overseas. The south west county reportedly has 27,000 solar panels already, more than anywhere else in the UK and with many more planned under Ed Miliband's green energy rollout, residents and councillors are becoming increasingly frustrated.
![[Paramedic Mike Bulley, 39, lives next door to the proposed site and is worried about the plans]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/19/15/92243069-14101071-image-m-16_1732030044101.jpg)
Locals highlight the loss of productive and versatile farmland, the lack of job creation or any significant benefit to the local economy and the industrialisation of the countryside as reasons to think again. The village of St Stephen, three miles from St Austell, which grew out of the 18th century clay industry and mining has become a new battleground.
![[The village of The village of St Stephen has been earmarked for the next huge solar farm]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/19/15/92243053-14101071-image-a-12_1732029670949.jpg)
Energy companies started buying up nearby farmland in a solar goldrush several years ago, hoping to take advantage of the village’s proximity to main power lines. In a few short years seven sites had sprung up in the parish, comprising thousands of panels, with another already granted permission for development.
![[Signs and posters have been put up in opposition to the planned Trelion Solar Farm]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/19/15/92243071-14101071-image-a-19_1732030083951.jpg)
Now 80% of the four square miles of the parish is in sight of a solar panel and French energy giant EDF is seeking permission for a 200 acre solar farm just to the west of the village. If approved, it will see a third generation tenant farmer lose their livelihood.
![[Rose Barnecut's family have farmed land near EDF’s proposed solar farm for four generations]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/19/15/92243033-14101071-image-a-15_1732029893509.jpg)
