Overview

• The council is reviewing a screening request from Enviromena to determine whether a full environmental impact assessment is required for the proposed solar farm near Bedale and Exelby.
• More than 80 formal objections have been submitted by residents and consultees warning of irreversible effects on agricultural land, heritage settings and landscape character.
• Historic England has highlighted that the site sits within a landscape of prehistoric, Roman and medieval activity about 900m from the Grade II Thorp Perrow park, calling for high-level archaeological investigation.
• North Yorkshire Local Access Forum has raised grave concerns that narrow public lanes and footpaths through the site are unsuitable for construction traffic and would diminish public enjoyment.
• Two supporting submissions argue the development would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that responsibly managed solar farms can contribute to biodiversity enhancement.