A “gold rush” of planning applications for solar farms is putting farms and newts in Buckinghamshire at risk, it has been claimed.

The proliferation of photovoltaic power stations – or solar farms – in some areas of Bucks has concerned residents.

READ MORE: Solar farms: List of every planned site in Buckinghamshire

Ross Williams from Kimble Wick near Aylesbury lives near sites for three planned solar farms and another that has already been approved.

He said: “There is a current gold rush from companies capitalising on fears for our energy supply and exploiting weak planning guidance to push huge numbers of these developments through, causing hectares of countryside to be industrialised.

“These schemes are designed to maximise profit at any cost, with very little regard for both the communities and biodiversity affected.”

READ MORE: Consultation for new Bucks solar farm plan at 5,000 acre estate

Mr Williams’ comments came as he objected to current plans put forward by Kimblewick Solar Limited for ‘Kimblewick Solar Farm’ near Dinton with Ford and Upton, Aylesbury.

A decision is overdue on the proposed solar farm, which the applicant claims will power 12,000 homes and save 17,200 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Other local objections to solar farms have also focused on the increasing number of applications that planning officers appear to be receiving.

Brian Williams of Farms for Farming has registered his objection to plans for ‘Redborough Farm Solar Farm’ in Ledburn, Aylesbury, applied for by Innova Renewables Limited.

He said: “Every year thousands of acres of agricultural land are lost to new homes, new business parks, industrial sites and giant online retail warehouses.

READ MORE: Bucks solar farm plan for Ledburn slammed over green impact

“Don’t add the large acreage of this project to the list. There are already a large number of solar farms built or in planning in the area.”

Innova told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Buckinghamshire has over 343,000 acres of agricultural land in its area. The solar farm area represents 0.07% of agricultural land within that area.

“We are aware of other solar farms both operational and planned within Buckinghamshire.

“There is however undoubtedly a need and policy direction to urgently deliver more renewable energy.

“Solar is by far the cheapest and quickest form of renewable energy to deploy, and can make a significant contribution to achieving our national renewable energy targets.”

Last week, Bucks Council’s Newt Officer also cast doubt on Innova’s plans for a new solar farm in Ledburn.

The officer told the applicant that the development would be within the amber impact risk zone for great crested newts.

This means it is highly likely that the animals will be present, especially given that there are 24 ponds within 500m of the proposed site.

Great crested newts are protected species, meaning it is illegal to kill, injure, capture or disturb them.

Innova said: “A thorough great crested newt survey has been undertaken which confirms that great crested newts  are absent from the majority of ponds across the site.

“We have however proposed measures to ensure the protection of great crested newts and importantly deliver significant habitat enhancement for great crested newts and other flora and fauna.”

Eight solar farms have been granted planning permission in Aylesbury Vale since 2021, some of which are now being built.

The figure comes from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Renewable Energy Planning Database.

The data shows that at least 18 further solar farms have become operational in Buckinghamshire as a whole since 2011 and the last two years have seen an increase in applications.

One of the newest solar farms being built is Moat Farm Solar Park in Bishopstone near Aylesbury.

Anesco Ltd’s plans for the site were approved in February 2022 and construction is slated for this Autumn.

Despite concerns from residents about the number of solar farms, the Government claims they are a key part of ensuring the UK’s energy security, with Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey backing more solar generation in December last year.

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of the trade association Solar Energy UK said: “It will be a great relief to the solar industry to hear that that Thérèse Coffey supports existing planning rules, which have successfully encouraged development away from the best-quality agricultural land while recognising the critical need to expand solar farms in response to the climate and energy price crisis.”