Rutland Solar Action Group has revealed new drone footage highlighting "the scale of Staveley Solar Farm" and encouraged residents to take notice.

A new drone video of the proposed Staveley Solar Farm site near Pilton, Morcott, Wing, North and South Luffenham has shocked local residents.

Rutland Solar Action Group released the video to illustrate the likely scale and impact of the 80-hectare (200-acre) development on Rutland farmland:

Doug Reid, director of Rutland Solar Action Group, said: "The new video gives a clear perspective of the shocking visual intrusion this sprawling industrial development would have on the Rutland landscape, with open countryside replaced by panels, fencing and CCTV cameras. 

"The loss of farmland and food production at this time is unacceptable and we call on the Government to introduce policy to stop this Wild West style speculation on solar developments by private companies. Solar panels should go on the roofs of all new houses and industrial buildings, not farmland."

In January, Alicia Kearns MP told a packed public meeting in Morcott that of all the land in the UK where solar developments are proposed, more than half is concentrated in just two counties: Lincolnshire and Rutland.

 Ms Kearns has been campaigning against another solar farm proposed for Rutland-Lincolnshire, Mallard Pass.

The battle surrounding Mallard Pass has been ongoing for over two years.

Now, this March, Bluestone Energy and Anglian Water, the developers behind Staveley Solar Farm, have submitted a planning application.

The application was submitted on 13 March, and can be viewed on the Rutland County Council website by searching Planning Reference 2024/0300/MAF. Residents can comment on the plan until 12 April.

Alternatively, find out more and watch the new drone footage on the Rutland Solar Action Group website.