Yorkshire-based Harmony Energy has announced it plans to submit an application to Ryedale District Council for a solar farm with battery energy storage near Malton.

The development, on land owned by the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, would see the installation of more than 90,000 free-standing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with the capacity to generate up to 50MW of low carbon electricity, enough to supply more than 14,000 homes.

Proposals for the project were first put forward last June and resulted in a campaign – Save Old Malton Countryside set by by Robert and Emma Sturdy.

The couple, who live on the 280-acre Eden Farm near Old Malton with their children Sebastian and Lizzie, said they could lose almost half their farm – an area almost 12 times as large as Wembley Stadium – to the solar energy scheme.

A spokesperson for Harmony Energy said: “We have listened to feedback and revised our plans for Old Malton by reducing the amount of high grade land included within the proposed development site and reducing the solar farm size by 35%.

“The proposed development only covers fields which are intensively farmed. Renewable energy is critical to ensure the future security of the UK’s energy supply, whilst helping to meet global targets to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.”

The spokesperson added: “Solar energy is a natural and inexhaustible source of clean renewable energy with a low environmental impact. However, as we have always stated, it is not as easy as just installing it on brownfield sites or rooftops in significant quantities. Unsubsidised developments like the one we are proposing help reduce energy bills, at a time when energy bills have increased dramatically.

“In total, this development would provide energy to power the equivalent of more than 11,000 homes and takes up less than 0.01% of the arable land in Yorkshire.

“This site is not subject to any national or local planning designations or protections which would preclude this type of development and, crucially, it is connecting directly into the neighbouring Malton bulk supply substation, which is vital to ensure the economics stack up without any subsidies from the tax payer.

“We are finalising our proposal and will be submitting a planning application shortly. The development will significantly enhance biodiversity of the existing intensively farmed land. This would be achieved through planting extensive woodland belts, enhancing hedgerows, planting wildflower meadows running through the middle of the development and the installation of numerous bird and bat boxes. Furthermore, the development would provide green energy for the local electricity network at no cost to the taxpayer, allow the soil to regenerate and improve its quality and contribute substantial business rates to the council. In addition, we are providing a community benefit fund of £10,000 per annum for local community-based projects.

“As disclosed in the last public consultation, should planning be successful vacant possession of the required land will be required and the tenants have been offered an attractive annual income for up to 40 years.

“We are proud to be a local Yorkshire energy firm, delivering local renewable energy, providing local benefits and supporting local high-skilled jobs. If this scheme gets the go ahead, it will support our ambitions to grow, create further employment and assist the UK’s net zero and energy security ambitions.”

Emma Study said: “We are extremely surprised to hear from the Gazette & Herald that Harmony Energy and the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation intend to submit a planning application ‘soon’ when the Corporation has not yet met with us to discuss the application, something to which they publicly committed themselves at the meeting of the Malton Town Council in June 2021.

“The last we heard was that they intended to revise the previously published plans but they have not consulted with us, nor even informed us, of how or why a revision was felt to be necessary. Regrettably, this is yet another example of the ‘steamroller management’ that has bedevilled this project from its outset over 19 months ago.”

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