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<p>The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions
should recognise the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land and
that where significant development is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer
quality land should be preferred to those of higher quality. This requirement would
apply to both housing and solar developments. The Framework is also clear that local
authorities should encourage efficient use of land and acknowledges the importance
of undeveloped land for food production.</p><p>In the case of solar, guidance sets
an expectation that large-scale solar farms are sites on previously developed and
non-agricultural land, provided it is not of high environmental value. Where projects
are proposed on greenfield sites, our guidance seeks to minimise the impacts and requires
developers to justify the use of any such land. Our guidance also requires that projects
are designed to avoid, mitigate and, where necessary, compensate for impacts on the
best and most versatile agricultural land.</p><p>These aspects of planning policy
are devolved in Wales.</p>
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