Cllr Ben Cooper, Townstal Ward, South Hams Council, writes:

Following your report on the consultation currently being carried out by South Hams on its renewable energy policy and with the news that another solar farm has been approved for South Hams, I think it's time for a fresh approach.

The need to invest in renewable energy is clear, whether in wind, solar or tidal – but we also can't just keep covering up our green spaces.

Not only should we be making more use of our existing and new housing stock and employment areas to install solar panels, but we should reconsider an idea once discussed which is again gaining traction among councillors.

That is using the dead space above appropriate car parks to install solar photovoltaics – better to cover them over than our fields – and, if community or even council owned, it would be a good way to invest in our local green economy.