Controversial plans for a solar farm in the North Yorkshire countryside have attracted more than 400 objections, with campaigners commissioning experts to help fight the scheme.
A planning application for the 30MW Stell Solar Farm on land off Lords Lane, between Bedale and Exelby, is currently being assessed by officers at North Yorkshire Council and is expected to go before councillors next year.
The plans have been drawn up by green energy company Enviromena on land owned by the Thorp Perrow Estate.
More than 430 objections to the farm have been filed with the council, while over 210 responses in support of the scheme have also been submitted.
Bedale Town Council and several local parish councils have also raised concerns about the plans.
Justyn Castle, chair of the Say No To Stell Solar Farm group, which was formed by local residents to oppose the scheme, claimed the vast majority of those in favour of the development were not local and had added their details to a letter pre-prepared by the applicant.
He said: “It smacks of developer desperation, or landowner desperation.
“All of the objections that we’ve generated are through community events, like attending the Bedale Christmas Fair.
“We always show people the photographs of the plan and we talk them through why we’re objecting to it so people can make a balanced decision.
“We don’t stand on anybody’s doorstep saying ‘sign this standard form’.”
Mr Castle said the campaign group was preparing to voice their opposition when the application was brought before the planning committee.
A fighting fund of more than £4,000 has been raised by the group, with sales of a calendar featuring scenic images from the site of the proposed solar farm generating around £1,500.
Some of this money has been used to commission an independent consultant to assess the solar farm’s impact on the local transport network.
Bruce Bamber, director of Railton TPC Ltd, concluded in his report: “The access proposals, as they stand, present an unacceptable risk to pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and other vulnerable highway users who currently use both Lord’s Lane and the rights of way that cross the site for a wide range of purposes.”
Experts have also been hired by individual campaigners to examine the history of the site and look at how the proposal would affect drainage on their land.
The applicants say the proposed solar farm would create enough clean energy to power around 13,830 homes a year.
Lee Adams, Enviromena chief commercial officer, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the company recognised that renewable energy projects could generate a range of views locally, and they respected the right of people to express both support and concern.
He added: “As with many infrastructure proposals, the Stell Solar Farm has attracted a mix of responses, reflecting the importance people place on their local environment as well as the growing need for clean, secure energy.
“All comments submitted as part of the planning process are a matter of public record and are assessed by the local planning authority in line with established procedures. We welcome engagement from all members of the community and remain committed to a transparent and open process.”
Mr Adams said Yorkshire had an important role to play in the UK’s transition to net zero.
He said: “Independent analysis is clear that additional solar capacity is needed to deliver affordable, low-carbon electricity, strengthen energy security, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
“Well-designed solar projects can also provide long-term environmental benefits, including biodiversity enhancements and continued land stewardship.
“Our focus is on delivering renewable energy infrastructure that supports national climate goals while working constructively with local communities and responding thoughtfully to feedback throughout the planning process.”
Be the first to comment