This proposal is for an extensive Solar Farm on land surrounding Mains Lane between Bishop Monkton and Wormald Green.  It is a huge site, extending to about 165 acres (about 100 football pitches), nearly 20 times the size of the Village Hall & Playing Fields area.  Note that within planning, this is referred to the Wormald Green Solar Farm.  It is ALL within our Bishop Monkton Parish boundaries and starts about 800 yards from Knaresborough Road (up Mains Lane).

October 2024 - Some confusion regarding Planning permission having been granted! A longer standing application for a smaller Solar farm, just south of Station Road (runs from Burton to Wormald Green) has been granted planning permission to Infrabee after their success in a Government scheme

This was mentioned in the local press (re planning permission agreed) and is for Burton Top - south of Station Road, between Burton Leonard and Wormald Green.  It has been 'around' for over 7 years.  It's smaller than the one up Mains Lane (47 acres compared with 165 acres, ie 100 football pitches).  They've just won government approval/contract/grant for it.  It's located there because of the Nat Grid sub station (as are the new Battery Plant and the proposed Mains Lane Solar Farm)

September 2024 - some further details were provided including layouts of where the access track will join the A61 together with the various splays and visibilities.  Additionally some accident data though without the added danger of this access track which will be used by very heavy and dirty lorries as well as by smaller vehicles.  The chosen location for A61 is dangerously close to the junction (access to Mains Lane & the Farm, the road to Burton Leonard, double access to Wormald Green Garage and with a bus stop opposite together with being at the end of a straight road with a 90° bend and a steep down hill.  Not nice or safe we suggest.

Additionally some changes to the Drainage Plan.  All of the swales (tenches/ditches) that were included down slope (for security) to ensure no surface water could surge off the site have been removed (at the suggestion of the FFLA, NYC Flood Authority). They say it is because that will disturb the normal flow and absorption of surface water coming down the catchment area to the Beck.  the LLFA also requested that there should be attenuation tanks and basins around the 3 groups of buildings to be erected on the site in order to 'control' surface water running off these buildings.

August 2024 - the deadline for comments (and answers from the Developer) has been extended from 31st August to 31st October.

July - the new Labour government is dropping the requirement that Solar Panels must not be built on Good Farmland in its drive for green energy with priority over food supplies. 

May - the previous Conservative Government's policy was that Solar Panels must not be built on Good Farmland  

A statement was laid before Parliament (15 May) urging councils not to approve planning permission for solar farms on high-quality farmland. The written statement was part of Rishi Sunak’s drive to protect food security. It clarifies that such solar projects should only be given the go-ahead if ‘absolutely necessary’.

This should effect the Solar Farm application on either side of Mains Lane.  The prime reason for the chosen location is because the electricity substation on the Burton to Wormald Green road has spare capacity at present.

The definition of ‘high-quality’ farmland is that it falls into categories 1 (excellent), 2 (very good) or 3a (good) as opposed to categories 3b (moderate), 4 (poor) and 5 (very poor). The Harmony application, for 165 acres (100 football pitches), is cited about half a mile up Mains Lane and on either side. In their case they sate that 44% of the land is categories 1,2 or 3a (ie good) and 54% is in category 3b. From the map below you will see that these differing grades are intertwined across the total site.  See map below.

May - Harmony submitted a few smallish adjustments to the plan including a more defined central and boundary green spaces, additional tree planting, site fencing (supposedly 'deer fencing' though not 'normal' and with some elements retained of an 'industrial' look), lower more integrated security lighting, some hedging lower to retain some of the views (though exposing more of the fencing to view) and a walkway (between sections).  The fencing now forms 3 entirely separate sections (combining to the totality of the site - see second picture of the last block).  Further details and specs of the quite extensive access track (to/from A61, by the junction).

In August 2022 Riski Sunak wrote 'we must not lose swathes of our best farmland to solar panels... make sure they are installed on shes, buildings and properties and on poor land'.  At that time best farmland was described by Environment Secretary George Eustice as above Grade 4 (so included Grade 3b, moderate) but a month later changed his view and said that Grade 3b was now excluded.

March 13th 2024  - Parish Council Response to Planning

Bishop Monkton Parish Council are in receipt of the notification for the above development however they wish to reserve their final comments/assessment of the proposals until the following details have been finalised: 

1. Flooding:    The catchment area for Bishop Monkton beck (see below) covers a significant part of the proposed site. Whilst the developer has introduced perimeter swales and gravel strips under the panels there remains concerns as to its affect on the rate of rainfall flowing into the beck then into the village. We understand that North Yorkshire Flood Authority have yet to be consulted and look forward to seeing their comments.

2. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting:    This important reserve is only one field away to the NW of the site. Harmony Energy have indicated to Parish Council that they have consulted with the YWT however there is no record of this on the planning website. We would expect a formal consultation to have been made by the planning authority to the Trust.

3. Security Fence:    A 2.1m high metal security fence is shown around the site which has raised concerns on the visual impact by NY landscape architect. We understand this is to be changed to a deer fence. However information has yet to be provided by Harmony Energy on this important visual change.

4. Maintenance:    No details are given as to how the swales, gravel strips and general grasses/wild flower areas are to be maintained, e.g. are sheep to be allowed on site?

5. Mains Lane:   This bridleway is an important route to the village. The consultations have indicated that it must not be used for construction, however from discussions with Harmony Energy they appear to be unaware of this, indeed access is shown across this between the two halves of the site.

Note: As at the October parish Council Meeting apparently no response had been received.

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March 6th - NYC Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA)

The LLFA have become involved, as they were felt to have the expertise and experience of the village to ascertain whether the proposed surface water handling was sufficiently robust and secure to ensure there could be no chance of additional flooding in the village. This included during the lengthy period of site development and throughout the proposed 40 year life of the site.

They found insufficient details and measurements across a range of aspects, requesting more information relating to Runoff Destination, Peak Flow Control, Volume Control, Design for Exceedance, Climate Change, Maintenance and Construction.

Click here for their full report

March Update - Various

 Gravel Trenches, 30cm wide, 20cm deep - proposed underneath (1.2m drop) the drip/runoff from each of the 7m angled panel units.  In total across the site, there will be approaching 50 miles of these, with the gravel to be transported in (and removed when the land is reverted back to farming?) weighing around 5,000 tons! 

On much of the site the proposed 2.1m high industrial metal fencing is not acceptable according to NYC Conservation with any fencing 'kept to a low level post and rail form'.

Burton Leonard residents and businesses are up in arms at the closure of Station Road (from BL to WG) for the whole of March.  This related to Harmony Energy and the Battery Plant (within BM Parish) and was not mentioned in the Planning Application!

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February 20th - Extra Meeting with Harmony Energy

They were emphatic that even without the Gravel strips and Swales there was no danger of increased flooding though this did not fall easily on the minds of most present where the thoughts that annual ploughing and tillage and crop growing would be better regarding water absorption and reducing water streaming than what was being proposed.  The Swales had been added to provide more confidence within the village that there would be no extra flooding - they run for about 2 miles.

The Gravel Strips, under the drip point from all of the panels, would be 300cm wide, 200cm deep.  We estimate there could be approaching 50 miles of these.

Harmony were unsure how long a run there was from the top to bottom of each panel unit - they thought about 3m, in fact 7m is specified at angle of 15deg.  Water running that length could flow at a considerable rate with far more than just 'drips' off the panel ends.  Further, that water would then fall 1.2m onto the gravel strips - with what outcome?  There appeared to be no concern (or understanding?).

Little was specified about any aspect of maintenance - Swales, undergrowth, gravel strips where there would be grass/weeds gradually across and down as well as soil movements, so reducing their effectiveness.  However, we were assured that full site maintenance would be incorporated during its lifetime.

They accepted that the Landscape at North Yorkshire Council had outlined several issues including lowering some hedgerow heights (from planned 3m) to preserve superb distance views, replacement of the industrial steel fencing by 'deer fencing' of about the same height.

It was not possible to extend the 'internal' free access walkways (north and south of Mains Lane) to join up with any other public accessible areas.

Once given the 'green light', they speculated that development would take about 12 months to completion!  No answer was supplied as to what preventative drainage measures would be in place during this period. About a month of it would be creating the track out to the A61, just north of the Garage and of the Mains Lane junction.  

The only other site that has been developed as a Solar Farm by this section of Harmony is one underway at Skeeby near Richmond, slightly smaller.  It appears to be on flatter land and not in a significant drainage capture area.  apparently it's now about half developed.  Most of their experience is in Battery storage Plants and a little in Wind Farms. 

The site plan is for 40 years unless economic conditions mean some shortening.

No thoughts have been given to assisting with any form of buffering of water coming down towards the Beck, not even with regards to the £20,000 pa to be paid (probably to the local Parish Councils).  Not stated but seemingly implied was that it would be index linked.

The general feeling was that there is still a great deal to be finalised and  concerns over drainage will probably only be satisfied if examined by an independent expert.  One of the people present has contacted the North Yorkshire CC Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), which had a heavy involvement with the Avant application (now withdrawn) and the Kebbell Church Farm application (now waiting upon the Appeal by Kebbell)

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February 2024 Solar Farm Application - surrounding Mains Lane

The many application planning documents are now available for viewing on the Harrogate Planning Website together with a belated one covering the site drainage plans (click here to view).  It is a huge site, 165 acres - this corresponds to 100 full football pitches or approaching 20 times the area of the Village Hall and all of the playing fields and surrounds.  The site is in the middle of the drainage area that feeds the Beck with two feeder streams starting within its borders, as well as a drain  (which runs down Mains Lane to feed the Beck) starting right on the edge. See the map right above.

Solar Farm (165 acres) marked in red (in the first map above, at the top of this article), with a new service road to the A61 at Wormald Green)

In the second of the maps right above, mauve outlines the drainage catchment area for the Beck, red the boundary of the site and just visible in blue are the Beck feeder streams, ditch and spring. Not the blue far left as that is towards Wormald Green, where you can also see the A61 running north and the old railway line cutting (Nature Reserve).  Moor Road runs across just within the mauve catchment area.

The basis of the plan to control surface water from the site, which would be expected to runoff faster than from its current use (farming/crop) due to the vast area of sloping glass (7m runs/height per unit), is by Gravel Strips along all of the panel bases, where they will 'drip' together.  Also, supplemented with Swales (ditches) 1m wide ½m deep with vegetation around the downgradient edges plus a few internal for extra 'water control'.  They do maintain that these Swales are not really necessary. Note shown in purple in the third of the maps below.

In this third map, red marks the boundary (about 2 miles), Purple indicates the Swales ie. ditches (about 2 miles), the shaded areas are the Solar Panels (up to 10ft high with gravel strips along all lower edges) while the orange indicates the overhead power cable collecting system.  The total length of the gravel strips will be approaching 50 miles!

Each individual (industrial) solar panel will be approximately 2.3m x 1.13m in dimension, with 3 together in one unit (so nearly 7m x 1.13m).  Approximately 70,000 units will be required, each 1.13m wide, giving a total length of about 80,000m (ie 80km or 50 miles).  As each unit comprises 3 panels that means over 200,000 individual solar panels will be required!

The area will be split into 3 main sections, with metal fencing (8ft) and CCTV (10ft) surrounding each section.  Also two 'walkways', presumably for public access, certainly for wildlife running to the north and south of mains line on the western side and approximately along the lines of the (orange) power collecting cables.

A large detailed overall plan can be reached here and you can then magnify it (considerably) to see the detail.

Other issues to consider -

• The site was chosen primarily because it is close to the National Grid Power Substation (between BL and WG) which has spare capacity. Hence the separate Battery Storage site being developed there which is nothing to do with the Solar Farm.

• The same is true for the Burton Top Solar Farm which also increase the density of glass coverage and reflectance in the area (see map below)

• Up to 43MW electricity would be produced which, on average, would power 12,000 homes.  However, it is a highlighly variable source, with many periods of lower or zero output.  At present, on average, Solar provided about 4% of the National Grid supply.  Nevertheless, solar does make a useful contribution in the drive to reducing emissions, though is more efficient in the south of the UK (sun) and for domestic use (hot water storage).

• It's all excellent/good/satisfactory farmland (grades 1, 2, 3a and 3b) that has been producing arable crops for 50+ years.  None of the land is poor or useless for farming (grades 4 and 5).  UK population is increasing (@ over ½ million a year) and world events show the UK needs to be more self sufficient

• Mains Lane is a public Bridleway with many walkers and riders.  Enjoyment of the countryside would be significantly reduced.

• Some hedge planting and increasing of their heights is planned.  However, it will take several years before it gets to a height to camouflage the fence, solar panels and other structures when viewed from surrounding roads and footpaths and possibly properties.

• The site would be operational for 40 years, it would then revert to farmland - would it?

There are also a few unanswered questions or missing aspects -

• How long would the development period be and what reassurances during that period - drainage for example.  In a later document Harmony suggested 2 years.

• What depth of gravel is to be used in the 'drip strips'?

• Across the site are gravel strips scientifically proven to be just as effective as land that is farmed?

• Can it be ensured that these gravel strips do not (partially) wash away/down, thus reducing their effectiveness?

• Is it feasible to return the land to farming after 40 years?

Doubtless more.

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This click here link takes you to the HBC Planning Website, then key in the Application Reference: ZC23/04361/EIAMAJ.  There are 60+ documents, some running to 70 pages! You can submit your comments there (before 31st October) or email them to [email protected] quoting the Application Reference ZC23/04361/EIAMAJ

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