The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, on behalf of the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP, has allowed the Harmony Energy appeal for a solar and battery storage site at Eden Farm, Old Malton.
Harmony Energy appealed a decision by North Yorkshire councillors last October to dismiss the proposed clean energy scheme.
Members of the planning committee said while they supported efforts to increase renewable energy schemes in the area, they remained unconvinced the proposed site, on land owned by the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, at Eden Farm was the only alternative place.
The plans were also opposed by Robert and Emma Sturdy, who live on the 280-acre farm, who launched the ‘Save Our Old Malton Countryside’ campaign following announcement of the proposals.
The couple said: “We are shocked and devastated at this ill-judged decision which will cause immeasurable damage to our successful farming business and leave us with a very uncertain and difficult future.
“Our efforts fighting this application have been mammoth, with an outstanding contribution from our team of professional advisors. But it wasn’t to be.
“During the Public Inquiry, we put forward a strong case to the Inspector. We could not have done any more. We have fought with integrity, tenacity and a strong moral compass that sought to protect the characteristics of this part of North Yorkshire. Today, unlike some, we can hold our heads high.
“In approving the scheme, the Secretary of State has ruled in favour of renewable energy over the “irreversible detriment” to an existing successful agricultural business and in the full knowledge that the development is “not entirely in accordance with local policy”.
“But our efforts were not totally in vain. The Inspector has agreed that the impact on us is “significant and exceptional by comparison to other schemes” and recognises the harm to our business carries substantial overarching weight against granting permission for the appeal. Yet clearly none of this has been enough to trump the benefit of clean energy.
“Quite simply, this Labour government does not support the hard-working farmer or family business, and the drive to Net Zero nationally and locally is destroying businesses like ours. The prospect now for other tenant farmers successfully opposing solar energy schemes is remote in the extreme.
“Solar appeals are notoriously difficult to challenge; we went into this with our eyes wide open and have always known that our arguments were sound in accordance with planning policy. We always hoped in our hearts that common decency and justice would prevail. We have no regrets, but of course, we are deeply disappointed.”
