North Yorkshire solar farm plans rejected due to farmland concerns

In North Yorkshire, England, a proposed solar farm by Lightrock Power was rejected by the North Yorkshire Council's planning committee due to concerns over its impact on high-quality agricultural land. The site, known as Woolpots, is located near Easingwold and on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. The committee's decision came after a two-year campaign by local residents and action groups opposing the development, citing that 70% of the land in question was classified as high-grade farmland. Lightrock argued that the solar farm would have powered thousands of homes and only covered 35 hectares, representing a small fraction of the region's top-quality farmland. However, the planning committee ultimately sided with the recommendation for refusal, with a vote of eight to four. Local councillor Chris Nichols expressed relief at the decision, while acknowledging the applicant's intention to appeal. Supporters of the solar farm, including Green Party councillor Andy Brown, highlighted the potential for biodiversity gains if conditions were imposed on land use. In contrast, opponents, like Conservative councillor John Mann, emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land for sustainable food production, arguing that importing food from distant locations is not environmentally friendly. The outcome of this decision reflects the ongoing tension between renewable energy development and agricultural preservation, raising questions about land use priorities in the face of climate change and food security challenges.