Understand
Sutton-on-the-Forest solar farm recommended for approval
Overview
Plans by Ampyr Solar Europe to build a 49.9MW solar farm on 235 acres of agricultural land near Sutton-on-the-Forest have been recommended for approval by North Yorkshire Council planning officers, despite local concerns regarding the loss of productive farmland.
Key points
- Ampyr Solar Europe applied to build a 49.9MW solar farm on 235 acres of land at Brownmoor Lane.
- The project includes ground-mounted solar panels, a 10MW battery energy storage system, a substation, fencing, and CCTV.
- North Yorkshire Council's strategic planning committee is set to consider the application.
- Nine objections were raised, focusing on the loss of arable land, impact on tenant farming, and visual effects on the countryside.
- Planning officers noted the development is temporary for 50 years, reversible, and allows for sheep grazing to continue during operation.
- Officers concluded that the public benefits of renewable energy generation outweigh the residual harms.