Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Project signed off

Capable of powering 24,400 homes a year, Ampyr Solar Europe’s proposals for 235 acres of farmland on either side of Brownmoor Lane in Huby were given the green light by North Yorkshire councillors on Tuesday.

The decision was made in line with officer recommendations. While councillors were supportive of Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Project, they noted that the national policy needed to be improved to ensure those impacted locally by solar farms received some compensation.

This was due to the testimony of a local cattle farmer who said that the solar farm would deeply harm, and could possibly end, her family’s farming business.

“There doesn’t seem to be any mechanism for us to force you to get some compensation from a scheme that’s going to make a lot of money for somebody else but cause you inconvenience,” said Cllr Andy Brown, a member of the Green Party, apologetically.

He did describe the solar farm as a “major gain for the nation” though, extoling its benefits in terms of providing 50MW of clean energy and 10MW of energy storage.

In addition to the panels themselves and the battery energy storage element, the scheme includes cables, general infrastructure, and a 132kV substation. There is also considerable biodiversity net gain elements, including the planting of hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and skylark compensation areas.

As part of the planning conditions of the approval, Ampyr would have to start on the solar farm within three years.

Ampyr is becoming a name in Yorkshire – in addition to the Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Project, the energy developer is behind the 530MW East Yorkshire Solar Farm Project by Drax Power Station.

AECOM was the lead consultant for Ampy’s Sutton-on-the-Forest Solar Project. To learn more about the scheme, search ZB25/01321/FUL on North Yorkshire Council’s planning portal.