Agricultural Land (Jersey) Law 1964 and construction of solar farms
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2026.03.09
2.2 Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade of the Minister for the Environment regarding the
Agricultural Land (Control of Sales and Leases) (Jersey) Law 1974 (OQ.40/2026):
Will the Minister advise what consideration, if any, was given to the Agricultural Land (Control of Sales and Leases) (Jersey) Law 1974 ahead of Ministerial consent being given under this law for the construction of solar farms in St. Clement , St. John and St. Mary , and if no consent was given or required, explain why not? Deputy S.G. Luce of Grouville and St. Martin (The Minister for the Environment):
My officers gave proper consideration to the law, and particular attention was given to the requirements placed on the dual use of the land, in line with planning permissions granted for the solar farms and agricultural use, before consenting to the lease transactions.
[14:45]
Leases are subject to condition for use in accordance with the planning permissions, securing agricultural use on the land until the site is decommissioned.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Article 2(1) of the law says that no person shall enter into a lease of agricultural land without the consent of the Minister, and Article 2(2) goes on to say that the Minister shall have particular regard to the desirability of reserving agricultural land for bona fide use for agriculture and horticultural activity, and to ensure that the lease of any such field encourages that kind of use and the cultivation of the land. Is the Minister satisfied that he gave what the law says particular regard to all of those factors when deciding to allow for solar panels to be put on agricultural land and whether, in fact, that did enhance the use of that land for agricultural purposes in reality?
Deputy S.G. Luce :
The desirability of reserving agricultural land for the use of the inhabitants of Jersey ensures leases encourage a continued cultivation in accordance with the principles of good husbandry, and when it comes to dual agricultural use, combined operation of agricultural activity, like sheep grazing or horticulture alongside the generation of renewable energy on this land, is good. This approach ensures that the land continues to be used productively for agriculture while also contributing to the Island's sustainable energy. When it is not used, for example in grazing sheep, the land is left to rest, which enhances soil productivity.
- Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade :
Would the Minister agree with me that a field with sheep grazing on it is in agricultural use and a field with sheep grazing in it with solar panels over their heads is still a field in agricultural use?
Deputy S.G. Luce :
Absolutely I would.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
At the last sitting we had a quote of a dystopian novel and film, and I am minded to ask the Minister whether he is aware of the 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick, which asked the question: do androids dream of electric sheep? My question would be: do we have a Minister for the Environment in Jersey who actually, in his pursuit for dual agricultural use, is perhaps dreaming also of electric sheep?
The Bailiff :
Minister, (Laughter) electric sheep? Deputy S.G. Luce :
As a regular contributor to Farmers' Weekly, I am not quite sure how to respond to that. You can call them electric sheep if you like, but if we can find a way to use agricultural land to graze sheep and to create sustainable electricity, it gets my vote.