CAMPAIGNING TO PROTECT DEVON’S COUNTRYSIDE
Protecting Devon’s Countryside Since 1926
A failed planning system, a government policy to build millions more houses than we need – of the wrong type, at the wrong price, in the wrong places – and a runaway energy policy targeting thousands of acres of our productive farmland mean that today Devon’s countryside is threatened as never before. CPRE was founded to preserve and protect the rural environment, and has been doing just that since 1926.
Devon CPRE is an independent local charity that fights to prevent poor planning and bad policies destroying the rural landscapes that are Devon’s unique heritage. We offer professional planning expertise and a wealth of experience to help our members fight inappropriate development throughout the county.
We’re funded solely by members’ subscriptions, donations and legacies.
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Devon CPRE Solar Farm map of Devon, we've now added in the Proposed Holsworthy Beacon Mega Solar Farm.
📢 Sign and share our petition to put a stop to this ‘unneeded, unwanted and unsustainable’ megasolar farm that would cover over 4 square miles of farmland, destroy productive land, and scar our beautiful landscape: 👉🏽 www.devoncpre.org.uk
The Holsworthy post has printed our response to the Greens, who accused us of scaremongering at the meeting regarding the Holsworthy Beacon Mega Solar Farm. Read more in the attached link below👇🏼.
“Misinformation does not mean ‘things I don’t agree with’. There was no misinformation at the meeting; we gave well-sourced facts and our opinions – clearly distinguishable – and let people make up their own minds; which they did, in huge numbers.
“Talking figures needs to be done accurately: solar panel efficiency is around 25 per cent at the maximum (a typical ‘high-efficiency’ panel offers 22 per cent energy conversion), which decays by a fifth after 25 years and produces energy in England at a capacity factor of under 11 per cent on average. All of these figures are readily checkable.
“To blame the Spanish grid for the inability to cope with the sudden unexpected non-performance of a huge renewable energy source is like blaming shopkeepers for looting.
“Most leading Green thinkers now agree with Prof James Lovelock that nuclear is the way forward for low-carbon energy. If the Green movement hadn’t spent 50 years throwing political spanners into the works of our nuclear industry, we wouldn’t be having half these problems.
“We agree that solar panels don’t leak toxic chemicals into the ground, unless they are damaged, either in operation or in removal/disposal. And that’s where we have a significant concern, as overseas investors rush to build ever more, ever bigger solar farms to mine the subsidy regime. Who will remove them when the music stops?”
Torridge Greens accuse 'Stop Beacon Solar' of 'scaremongering' over solar panel plans
www.holsworthy-today.co.uk
Stop Beacon Solar has said it is opposed to plans for a 2,750 acre solar panel projectWorking alongside the Better Planning Coalition, CPRE has helped secure key safeguards for nature and the countryside as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill progresses through the House of Lords.
Sign and share our online petition against what would be one of Europe’s largest solar arrays on more than 4 square miles of farmland near Holsworthy!
We are on a mission to gather one million signatures and are urging everyone to throw their weight behind our campaign to fend off the massive development proposed for Holsworthy Beacon. Sign and share the petition at www.devoncpre.org.uk
There’s no need to cover another 2,700 acres of Devon farmland in solar panels, because the number of renewable projects queuing for connection to the grid is already more than three times the government’s Clean Power target for 2030.
Data from the National Energy System Operator (NESO) shows renewable projects totalling 760GW awaiting grid connection, way above the government’s 2030 renewables target of 150 - 225GW. In other words, the Devon mega solar farm is surplus to requirement and unsustainable, says the charity.
At a packed meeting in Holsworthy attended by some 300 people, Our (Devon CPRE) Chairman Steve Crowther outlined the scale of the threat if the Beacon Solar scheme, that’s currently in the pre-application phase, progresses to a planning application.
Devon CPRE has the backing of the national charity CPRE, Torridge & Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox and a campaign group formed by local residents.
Watch our video here:
youtu.be/PDoHi_8UEhU
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/hundreds-stand-against-massive-devon-10613921
Hundreds stand against massive Devon solar farm
www.devonlive.com
A rallying call is issued to work together to fight planswww.holsworthy-today.co.uk/news/rallying-cries-in-packed-public-meeting-to-stop-beacon-solar-847154
Rallying cries in packed public meeting to 'Stop Beacon Solar'
www.holsworthy-today.co.uk
The MP promised fierce resistance
Photos from an incredible meeting in Holsworthy!
More than 300 residents filled Holsworthy Memorial Hall to show their passion and determination to protect Devon’s countryside from the massive Beacon Solar proposal.
Everyone came together to say loud and clear, "Devon’s farmland is for food, not foreign investment profits".
Huge thanks to everyone who came, spoke, listened, and signed. With your help, we’re building a powerful movement that’s already gaining momentum nationwide.
Take a look at some photos from the evening below, and if you haven’t already, add your name to the petition to stop this ‘unneeded, unwanted and unsustainable’ megasolar farm.
📢 Sign and share: www.devoncpre.org.uk
#SayNoToBeaconSolar #ProtectDevon #CPRE #DevonCPRE #CommunityPower #Holsworthy #SaveOurCountryside
More media coverage on our fight to put a stop to the proposed mega solar farm in Holsworthy.
Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans
www.bbc.co.uk
People are campaigning against proposals to build one of the UK's biggest solar farms.
Did you see ITV West Country on Friday? Great coverage of our meeting in Holsworthy to voice our opposition to the proposed Mega Solar farm. 👇🏼Hundreds of people packed into a public meeting near Holsworthy in Devon to voice their opposition to plans to build what would be one of the biggest solar farms in Europe.
Developers say the Beacon Solar project - which would cover around 2,700 acres of farmland - would reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
tinyurl.com/2p9k58r9
Devon says NO to Beacon Solar!
On Friday 31 November, more than 300 people packed Holsworthy Memorial Hall to stand up for Devon’s countryside and against one of Europe’s biggest proposed solar farms at Holsworthy Beacon.
The message was loud and clear: this ‘unneeded, unwanted and unsustainable’ megasolar farm would cover over 4 square miles of farmland, destroy productive land, and scar our beautiful landscape, all while renewable projects already waiting for grid connection exceed 2030 targets threefold.
Devon CPRE Chairman Steve Crowther and MP Sir Geoffrey Cox KC joined residents in calling for national action. Thousands have already signed the petition, and this is just the beginning of an incredible grassroots movement.
Join the fight. Add your name. Share this post. Together, we can protect Devon’s land, food, and heritage.
👉 Sign the petition: www.devoncpre.org.uk
#SayNoToBeaconSolar #ProtectDevon #CPRE #SaveOurCountryside #FoodSecurity #holsworthy
Read the full press release on our website: www.cpredevon.org.uk/please-sign-our-petition-against-unwanted-unneeded-and-unsustainable-devon-m...
Holsworthy mega solar meeting
We have submitted a comprehensive objection to the #planning application for a development of 151 dwellings in the #countryside in #Lympstone #Exmouth #eastdevon It is unsustainable, speculative, & contrary to adopted & emerging Local Plan strategies.
Homes plan between Exmouth and Lympstone sparks merge fears
Plans for more than 100 new homes on green wedge land between Exmouth and Lympstone have sparked flooding fears.
shorturl.at
Thanks to everybody who came to our meeting in #Holsworthy at the launch of the 'Say No to Beacon Solar' campaign. We're very grateful to have the support of @Geoffrey_Cox in our battle to stop this gigantic #solar & #battery development coming to #Devon
Please sign and share our petition http://devoncpre.org.uk against 2,700 acre #Devon mega #solar farm which would cover over 4 sq miles (11 sq km) of Devon's iconic landscape. #farmforfood #grassnotglass @cpre @NoFarmsNoFoods @NetZeroWatch
Thank you to everybody who came to the #solarfarm meeting today in #holsworthy. Please sign and share the petition
Angry locals vow to fight plans for 'disgraceful' giant Devon solar farm near Holsworthy
https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2025-10-31/angry-locals-vow-to-fight-plans-for-disgraceful-giant-devon-solar-farm
2,700 acre mega #solar site coming to Devon? To find out more, join us on 31st October in #holsworthy #devon with @Geoffrey_Cox Sign the #petition at http://devoncpre.org.uk
Congratulations to all our winners in this year's Devon's Best Young Landscape Artist Competition. Beautiful paintings, showcasing fantastic talent. Winning entries now on display at museum @dartmoorlife #okehampton #devon #art #countryside
https://www.cpredevon.org.uk/devons-best-young-landscape-artist-competition-2025-results/
The latest application for a large #solar farm in #Devon, this time in Talaton, East Devon. Over 60% would be on BMV land, which is against both national & local #planning policy. #grassnotglass #farmforfood @NoFarmsNoFoods @NetZeroWatch
CPRE adds to complaints over East Devon solar plans
Environmental charity Devon CPRE, The Countryside Charity, has joined in the chorus of objections to proposals for a massive new solar farm at…
www.sidmouthherald.co.uk
A North #Devon & #Torridge mega solar site could be created, as Devon's largest #solar farm & BESS to date - at 279 acres - is currently in #planning in close proximity to others already existing. For more info about the Bulworthy solar farm & #BESS, see
We’ve really enjoyed being at the shows this summer – the Devon County Show in May, the Mid Devon, North Devon & Okehampton shows in July & August. Its been a great way to explain our work and to hear and share local people's concerns. #planning #devon
Become a member
Devon CPRE is a charity sustained by its members. By joining, you’ll not only support our campaigns to defend Devon from bad planning decisions, but also join the many thousands of CPRE members across the nation who are committed to celebrating, protecting and enhancing England’s incredible rural environments. Here’s what you get:
Campaign Membership: £36 a year (only £3 a month)
Individual Membership: £60 a year (only £5 a month)
Household Membership: £84 a year (only £7 a month)
Workshops & Events
Free places at our regular Planning Workshops and other events during the year
Planning Advice
Access to expert planning guidance and support when you need it
Exclusive Resources
Member-only offers, documents and materials to help you deal with planning and countryside issues as well as getting the most out of your membership
Updates & Bulletins
Stay informed with monthly online bulletins and quarterly newsletters
National CPRE Membership
Access to the wealth of advice, information and resources available via the national charity at CPRE.org
LATEST CAMPAIGN NEWS & REPORTS
Please sign our petition against unwanted, unneeded and unsustainable Devon mega solar farm – SAY NO TO BEACON SOLAR
We are calling on all our supporters to sign and share an online petition against what would be one of Europe’s largest solar arrays on…
Read Post
More than 16,700 new homes in Devon could be built on brownfield land. October 2025
CPRE research reveals more than 16,700 new homes in Devon could be built on brownfield land 16,706 new homes in Devon could be built on…
Read Post
Beacon Solar – a 2,700 acre Mega Solar site coming to Devon?
The plan to cover 2,700 acres (more than 4 square miles) of Devon farmland in the heart of the countryside at Holsworthy Beacon with solar…
Read Post
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Thanks to Joe Ashworth, Peter Benson and Reinhold Staden for their superb professional photography of Devon’s glorious countryside.