New ISEP advice note: Protecting agricultural land while powering the future

22 December 2025

The UK’s commitment to clean energy is accelerating, with a target to deliver 47 gigawatts of solar power by 2030. As solar projects expand rapidly across rural landscapes, questions about how to protect agricultural land and soil health have become increasingly urgent. To support consistent, evidence-based decision-making, ISEP has published a new Advice Note, Solar PV on Agricultural Land: Essential Components of Environmental Assessments and Reports.

This Advice Note provides a much-needed framework for environmental consultants, developers, and local planning authorities assessing large-scale solar projects on farmland. It addresses potential inconsistencies in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) by setting out clear expectations for soil and Agricultural Land Classification surveys, biodiversity net gain, pollution risk management, and socio-economic analysis.

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Crucially, the Advice Note emphasises the importance of protecting the ‘best and most versatile’ (BMV) agricultural land and maintaining the reversibility of solar developments. It promotes the use of poorer-quality land wherever possible and calls for independent soil audits following decommissioning to ensure farmland can be restored to good condition.

Beyond the technical aspects, the Note also recognises the broader environmental and social dimensions of solar expansion: impacts on rural livelihoods as well as opportunities for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. By providing detailed checklists of good practice, it helps practitioners deliver consistent, transparent, and high-quality assessments that balance renewable energy needs with food production and soil sustainability.

As the UK transitions towards Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs) and new planning frameworks, this Advice Note provides timely and practical guidance. It will help ensure that the shift to solar energy supports—not undermines—the long-term resilience of the rural environment.

The full Advice Note is now available from ISEP for use by developers, consultants, planners, and decision-makers across the UK.

Solar PV on Agricultural Land: Essential Components of Environmental Assessments and Reports


Published by:
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Paul Wright

Health, Safety and Security Director at HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd


Published by:
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Rufus Howard FISEP

Policy and Engagement Lead

Dr Howard is the policy and engagement lead for Impact Assessment at ISEP and a leading professional in EIA, with two decades of international experience across renewable energy and major infrastructure. A Fellow of ISEP and Chartered Environmentalist, Rufus holds degrees in Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Law, and a doctorate in Management. A trusted advisor, Rufus has directed environmental projects for major organisations such as the World Bank, The Crown Estate, Natural Resources Wales, the EBRD, Statkraft, Orsted, National Grid, and the Environment Agency. Rufus lives in Kent with his wife and three daughters and enjoys walking in nature, cooking, music, kayaking and archery.