Solar farm ruling spells uncertain future for Yorks family

A ruling by the UK government in favour of a solar farm development spells uncertainty for the future of a Yorkshire tenant family farm and has been met with anger and despair.

Robert and Emma Sturdy have faced a long battle, winning the case with North Yorkshire Council in 2023 when the local authority refused consent for a solar farm and battery storage system on tenanted farmland run by the family in Old Malton.

See also: Angela Rayner to review Old Malton solar appeal

Harmony Energy appealed the decision and on Wednesday (25 February), housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook, on behalf of housing secretary Angela Rayner, cleared the Harmony Energy appeal for solar and battery storage at Eden Farm.

The proposed development, created in co-operation with the landowner, the Fitzwilliam Trust, will see the installation of 90,000 solar photovoltaic panels, providing energy for 14,000 local homes, together with a 30MWh battery storage system.

Damage

The Sturdys said the verdict would cause immeasurable damage to their 113ha farming business where they grow cereals and rear dairy calves for breeding stock.

“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,” they said.

“Our efforts fighting this application have been mammoth, with an outstanding contribution from our team of professional advisers.

“We have fought with integrity, tenacity and a strong moral compass that sought to protect the characteristics of this part of North Yorkshire. Unlike some, we can hold our heads high.”

Frustrated with the decision, the family added: “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.”

Precedent 

As this will set a precedent in decision making for such developments, the Sturdys say the prospect for other tenant farmers to successfully oppose solar energy schemes is now remote in the extreme.

Ms Rayner took over the decision-making process from local planners last year, to help the UK government meet its climate change commitments and energy policies.

The land, which has been farmed by three generations of the family, will now be scarred by solar panels covering 52ha.

Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said the decision was a huge personal blow to the Sturdy family, who have fought tirelessly to defend their security and their livelihoods. 

“I pay tribute to their bravery and tenacity in fighting this battle,” he said. “It is also a massive hit for the local community whose own local authority resoundingly rejected the planning application for this solar development for a host of reasons, including the impact on the Sturdys as the farm tenants on the subject holding.”

Mr Dunn said the decision was also crushing for the wider tenanted sector. 

“The inspector fully identified the hugely negative impact of this development on the personal circumstances of the Sturdys, but chose, along with the secretary of state, to turn a blind eye to those realities,” he said. 

“So much for the promise made by Sir Keir Starmer that in advancing solar farm developments it would not be at the expense of tenant farmers.

“We need the government to explain urgently how it will protect other tenant farmers from having to face this trauma.”