It is right that solar power forms a key part of the UK's strategy for energy security and ambition to reach net zero by 2050.

However, it is also right that the government takes the necessary steps to defend the green belt from inappropriate developments that may cause harm to the rural environment.

It is for this reason that I asked the Ggvernment to launch a planning inquiry into the proposed solar farm at Honiley and spoke against the application at that inquiry. If this piece of 'classic' Green Belt is suitable for development, there can be little confidence that any part of the Green Belt will be protected.

I support the Government's plan to significantly reduce energy use in new homes and new non-domestic buildings from 2025.

The Government has set an ambitious target to produce 70 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2035. This includes, for example, an interim uplift of energy efficiency requirements that will encourage businesses to install solar panels on new buildings.

I also welcome the expansion of permitted development rights to ensure that more homeowners and businesses can install solar panels on their roofs without going through the planning system and am particularly keen to encourage solar panels for new commercial buildings.

As I've said in the past, I do not think that we have yet exploited sufficiently the potential of roof space.

Whilst I acknowledge the need for some ground level solar farms, solar panels can be mounted in many other places that are less intrusive, including on canopies above car parks.

Protecting the green belt is not the only reason why we should be hesitant about relaxing the planning process to allow the construction of large solar farms. It is also important that we consider the consequences of constructing large solar farms on perfectly good agricultural land.

The Government has rightly acknowledged the difficulties that many households have faced in paying their energy bills following the invasion of Ukraine and outlined the steps it is taking by spending over £40 billion to pay up to half of people's energy bills.

The Government has also been clear about the importance of maintaining food security in the UK and strengthening the resilience of supply chains. This will boost domestic production in the UK and provide the necessary protections from future economic shocks.

I welcome the clarity that Ministers provided last week that solar farms should only be built on good agricultural land where absolutely "necessary" and that large developments like the one in Honiley should be avoided.

I have been assured that the Government is committed to further measures that will unlock the potential of rooftop solar. All this to show that it is certainly possible to maximise the benefits of solar energy whilst minimising the effects that large solar farms may have on the rural environment and on our country's food security.