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07

Apr 2022

Last Updated: 07/04/2022
Environment
Environment

Fears in Scotton that gigantic solar farm will spoil picturesque village

by Thomas Barrett

| 07 Apr, 2022
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The plans would generate up to 49.9 megawatts of renewable energy that could power up to 14,000 homes. However, the village on the outskirts of Knaresborough has a population of around 600 people and residents feel it will be dwarfed by the gigantic solar farm.

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Residents in Scotton are mobilising against plans to build a solar farm the size of 150 football pitches that they believe will spoil their picturesque village.

UK energy firm Gridserve is behind a proposal to build the solar farm on fields belonging to Lawrence Moor Farm.

Thousands of solar panels would generate up to 49.9 megawatts of green energy that could power up to 14,000 homes.

The village on the outskirts of Knaresborough has a population of around 600 people.

Scotton resident Richard Tallis, who has lived in the village for 12 years, has distributed leaflets to villagers and said 165 people have responded to say they are opposed to the plans.

Two public footpaths would be surrounded by solar panels if they were passed.

Mr Tallis said:

"We're not against solar farms, just put them in the right places.
"Agricultural land should be used for agricultural purposes.
"There's a strength of opinion around the village opposing it."





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The main site where Gridserve wants to put the solar panels is bound by the narrow country roads Low Moor Lane and High Moor Lane. It is also opposite the village primary school.

Mr Tallis said he fears the roads are ill-equipped to cope with eight months of construction traffic whilst the site is built.

He said he is not a "NIMBY" but feels that solar farms should be built on the edge of motorways and away from residential areas.

"I accept there will always be people that criticise us for opposing it.
"But there are other sites that are more suitable, not on the edge of a picturesque green village."


Net-zero


This morning the UK government published its flagship energy strategy. It wants the country to produce most of the energy it uses through renewables.

It says the UK will increase current solar capacity by five times before 2035.

A spokesperson for Gridserve said:

“Matters of proximity, visual impact and access throughout the construction and operation of the Scotton solar farm will be integral parts of the forthcoming planning and design process.
"We hope we are able to proceed with the next design phases in an open, collaborative approach that involves members of the local community and other statutory and non-statutory stakeholders”