North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee gave the go-ahead for the 49.9MW development at Brownmoor Lane, south-west of Sutton-on-the-Forest, despite concerns from a tenant farmer whose family has worked the land for three generations.
The solar farm, proposed by Ampyr Solar Europe, will cover approximately 95 hectares of countryside, including around 50 acres farmed by the Swiers family.
Elizabeth Swires told councillors the development threatened the future of the family’s cattle farming business, which is now run by her son, the third generation to work the land.
She said the loss of some of their most productive fields could leave them with little choice but to relocate or abandon farming.
“You talk about sheep farming – we are cattle farmers, not sheep farmers. Sheep farming might have to become an option, but that is not what we do.
“You talk about the soil, and I believe you’ve carried out a desktop analysis. I would like to see a copy of that analysis because we don’t agree with it.
“You’re taking two of our best fields and leaving us with the rest.
“How we farm what remains is something we’ll have to figure out, or it could mean the end of our farming business.”
The scheme will see solar panels installed on farmland east of the A19, alongside a 10MW battery storage facility, substation and associated infrastructure.
Scott Johnson, head of consents management at Ampyr Solar Europe, defended the proposals, telling councillors the solar farm would generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 24,000 homes annually.
He said it would also save an estimated 950,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime.
Mr Johnson said the site consisted predominantly of lower-grade agricultural land, as confirmed by soil surveys, and argued that the project would contribute to the long-term viability of three agricultural holdings.
The developer said 26 consultation responses had prompted changes, including the removal of an 18.5-hectare field closer to residents and the relocation of the main construction access to the A19.
Additional measures include nearly 1km of new trees to screen views from a public footpath, a 10-metre-wide walking corridor and 1.6km of new hedgerows.
Committee member Cllr Andy Brown acknowledged concerns about solar panels replacing farmland but supported the application.
He said: “I don’t think any of us particularly like to see solar developments on agricultural land. We’d much prefer to see them on rooftops or brownfield sites.
“But if solar panels are going to be installed on agricultural land, then it’s important to recognise that 95.5 per cent of this site is not classified as best and most versatile agricultural land.
“That’s not a matter of opinion. It’s the professional assessment that we, as a committee, have to rely on.”
Cllr Brown said sheep could potentially graze beneath the panels, allowing some agricultural production to continue.
However, he also called for a system to compensate tenant farmers who lose land to solar developments.
Councillors agreed with the recommendation from planning officers to approve the application.
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