MP Joins Residents in Fighting Solar Farm Proposals
Brentwood and Ongar MP Alex Burghart has thrown his support behind residents opposing a major solar farm on agricultural land between Epping and Brentwood. Meeting with the group at the Dog House pub in Tawney Common, he praised their organised approach, good legal advice, and persistence.
Support for Multiple Resident Groups
Burghart also highlighted the Ongar Chelmsford Road Residents Action Group, formed to object to Bloor Homes' speculative green-belt development south of Chelmsford Road in Ongar. He commended West Horndon Parish Council and residents fighting proposals for thousands of new homes in and around the village. The MP plans to recommend the same strategy to residents in Hutton and Shenfield who have raised concerns about local developments.
Strong Opposition to Green Belt Loss
“I am very strongly against the loss of green-belt land,” Burghart stated. He emphasised that while he has no direct influence over local planning decisions as an MP, he represents residents' concerns to relevant authorities. He noted that many constituents have signed a petition calling for 'use it or lose it' planning reforms to prevent developers from sitting on land.
Criticism of Government Planning Reforms
Burghart criticised the current Government's approach, which he said removes legal protections for the green belt instead of prioritising brownfield redevelopment. He cited figures from the Campaign to Protect Rural England showing that in many local authorities, there is enough brownfield land with planning permission to meet housing targets. “The Government has failed to explore this and continues to release green-belt land, some of which they have now redesignated as 'grey belt' with fewer protections,” he added.
Call for Right Homes in Right Places
While agreeing that more homes are needed, Burghart insisted they must be built in the right places with local consent, not at the expense of green spaces. The Brentwood Gazette covers areas including Billericay, Brentwood, Hutton, Shenfield, and Wickford in Essex.
