Green light recommended for solar farm proposal

Plans to develop a North Yorkshire solar farm with the potential to power almost 12,000 homes annually looks set to get the go-ahead tomorrow (24 August 2021).Elgin Energy, supported by Arcus Consultancy Services, submitted an application to Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 for development on a 210-acre agricultural site between South Stainley and Cayton.Planning permission is sought for the installation of solar panels across 125 acres of the site, together with associated infrastructure including inverter substations, point of connection (PoC) Compound, masts, cables, and security.The solar farm would generate about 49,000 megawatt hours per year of renewable energy, equivalent to the average consumption of at least 11,798 homes per annum.A planning statement accompanying the application said the scheme would contribute to the UK’s renewable energy requirements and “assist in replacing outdated energy infrastructure and the move to a low carbon economy”.The application will be considered by the council’s Planning Committee on 24 August. A report prepared for the meeting has recommended that a decision to approve is deferred to Executive Officer for Development Management and Building Control.The council has received representations in support of the proposals, as well as 58 objections.The report said the proposed development would “bring significant renewable energy benefits”.As of 2021, Elgin Energy has brought forward 230MW of solar energy across 21 projects in the UK, generating power for the equivalent of 75,000 homes.