Reasons for Objecting

The very large size of the proposed development is totally inappropriate for a site so close to residential properties in the rural village of Scotton. The visual impact of such a huge industrial solar farm would fundamentally change the tranquil character of the area. We consider solar farms should be appropriately located on already industrialised land, on roof tops or adjacent to motorways, not on productive agricultural land, or in an area which will cause significant visual impact to the residents and those further afield who visit the area.

There are a number of residential properties located close to the site boundary. The development will have a significant adverse visual impact to these properties, especially from first floor windows. This includes existing and new housing along Low Moor Lane and Scotton Old Hall.

We consider the proposed development contravenes Harrogate District Local Plan Policy HP4 which requires development proposals to be designed to ensure that they will not result in significant adverse impacts on the amenity of occupiers and neighbours.

The site is crossed by two Public Rights of Way, a footpath running from Scotton to Brearton, and the Knaresborough Round Bridleway from Lingerfield to Brearton. These are both well used by walkers and cyclists from the local area, as well as people from further afield walking the 20-mile Knaresborough Round. Currently there are extensive open views of green fields and agricultural farmland. The development would create significant adverse visual impact along the footpath and bridleway, with arrays of 3 m high dark coloured solar panels which would tower above walkers blocking those views. The footpath and bridleway would be separated from the site by a 2.5m high security fence. The solar panels and fencing would destroy the wide, open views and create an unpleasant tunnel along the footpath and bridleway, degrading the amenity value.

We consider the proposed development contravenes Harrogate District Local Plan Policy HP5 which states that proposals affecting Public Rights of Way will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the routes and the recreational and amenity value of the Public Rights of Way will be protected, or satisfactory diverted routes that deliver a level of recreational and amenity value at least as good as the routes being replaced are provided.

The solar farm would significantly adversely impact the character and appearance of the landscape. The expansive tranquil landscape of open green fields with far reaching views would turn into a semi-industrial, utility-grade power complex, with fields of 3m high dark solar panels, shipping containers containing electrical equipment and security fencing.

We consider the proposed development contravenes Harrogate District Local Plan Policy NE4 which requires that development proposals protect, enhance or restore the landscape character of Harrogate for its own intrinsic beauty and for its benefit to the environmental and social well-being of the district. This will be achieved by requiring that development proposals protect and/or enhance the character, appearance and local distinctiveness of the landscape and consider the ambiance of the area, and also requiring that visually sensitive skylines and visual amenity are protected and/or enhanced.

The system classifies land into five grades, with grade 1 being the best quality. Planning policies state that the valuable grades 1, 2 & 3a should be protected from development not associated with agriculture of forestry. The proposed development includes land that is in categories 2 and 3a, therefore this should be protected for agricultural use only.

We consider the proposed development contravenes Harrogate District Local Plan Policy NE8 which states that the best and most versatile agricultural land (grades 1, 2 and 3a) will be protected from development not associated with agriculture or forestry except where it can be demonstrated to be necessary.

 
The proposed development will create significant transport impacts on the local road network during development. The construction stage is stated to be 32 weeks i.e., 7.5 months and will involve the delivery of 85,000 solar panels and mounting infrastructure, as well as shipping containers containing electrical equipment via articulated lorries, HGV’s, and vans.

The access route to the site has not yet been confirmed, but the roads through the villages of Scotton, Farnham and Scriven are extremely narrow with houses directly on either side of the road.

The villages are popular with walkers, cyclist, pedestrians, and horse riders and are already overburdened and totally unsuitable for large vehicles.

In addition, access to Scotton will involve vehicles using the B6165 which is restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes along the entire stretch between Bond End (the junction with A59 at Knaresborough) and the junction with the A61 at Ripley. Quite apart from the restriction of 7.5 tonnes, HGV’s are unable to navigate the tight and narrow bends at Bond End.

A suggested option of entry into the site is directly opposite the busy junction at the village primary school, close to the nursery and the village football pitches, which is both potentially extremely dangerous and unsuitable.

Accessing the site via Brearton has been suggested as another option, however this would also require access via the weight restricted B6165 and would be unsuitable due to an extremely tight and dangerous sharp turn from the B6165 onto very narrow roads with bends and a bridge.

There will also be significant transport disruption when the underground cabling is installed under Low Moor Lane and Market Flat Lane connecting the site to the Knaresborough substation.

The RSBP have reported that insects that lay eggs in water may mistake solar panels for water bodies due to reflection of polarised light. Under certain circumstances insects have been found to lay eggs on the pannel surfaces which has the potential to impact their reproductive biology. In addition, security fencing around the site could become a barrier to the movement of wild mammals and amphibians, and represent a collision risk for some bird species.

 
Given the extent of the proposed solar array, this development is likely to be visible across a very large area and could negatively impact heritage assets near the site. These include Scotton Old Hall and the Quaker Burial Ground.

We consider the proposed development contravenes Harrogate District Local Plan Policy HP2 which states that proposals affecting a heritage asset, or its setting, should protect or enhance those features which contribute to its special architectural or historic interest.

The construction stage will last 7.5 months and will involve articulated lorries, HGV’s and vans transporting materials to site. The access route to the site hasn’t been confirmed, but the roads through the villages of Scotton, Farnham and Scriven are extremely narrow and have houses directly on either side of the road which will be significantly impacted by the noise and vibration caused by the very large increase in HGV traffic during the construction phase.

One of the proposed access points to the site is directly opposite Scotton and Lingerfield Primary School, in addition it is proposed that a battery storage and power conversion plant will be located on land opposite the primary school. This will involve installing large shipping containers and equipment via crane. It is considered that there will be significant effects of noise and vibration on the primary school during the construction phrase.

The proposed lease of the site would be for a period of 30 years which is a considerable period of time. The construction of a solar farm the size of the proposed development at Scotton will cost Gridserve millions of pounds and it is very unlikely that the site will ever be returned to its current agricultural use, therefore there is no weight to any claims that the development is temporary and can be reversed.

The proposed development won’t benefit the local community. The power generated by the solar panels will go straight to the national grid – this will not be a source of cheap electricity for people living in the vicinity of the solar farm. Residents living adjacent to the site will have a significant adverse visual impact from the site, whilst there will also be a loss of the rural amenity of the extensive open views along the footpath and bridleway crossing the site.