WORRIED councillors are calling for an action group to be set up to fight plans for a solar farm on their doorstep which they warn would be disproportionate, obtrusive and intrusive.
Developer Lightrock Power is consulting residents over plans for a 150-acre solar farm between Leeming Bar and Scruton. They say the site is ideal for Leeming Solar Farm, providing power for 15,000 homes.
However Scruton Parish councillors are concerned and say they will be objecting in the strongest possible terms. In a statement they said: "The council was not much impressed with the choice of ‘Leeming Solar Farm’ rather than ‘Scruton Solar Farm’ either. This project does not affect the people from Leeming but very much does affect residents of Scruton.
"The choice of name dilutes the threat to the people it affects most and also puts into the minds of the planners that this is to be set in an area where planning permission being given for non agricultural activity is commonplace. It is misleading.
"This is not an ideal site for a solar farm. It is a long, long way from being even suitable. Another very large solar farm is being constructed less than four miles from where this one is planned to be and not a single objection was lodged. This was because the site chosen was an ideal site for a solar farm out of sight and almost invisible.
"This new site will be highly visible from every direction. There is very limited natural screening and despite persistent requests Lightrock have refused to provide details of plans for artificial screening. As a consequence, this proposed site will dramatically scar the natural balance of the countryside. It will cheapen and demean the character of Scruton and surrounding villages and make the area far less attractive for tourism.
"It will be disproportionate, obtrusive and intrusive. The perimeters of the site have been insensitively placed far too close to a number of homesteads and to three different public roads. It will totally surround a section of public bridleway, provide a potential hazard to vehicles using the new Bedale bypass, and is situated directly under the flight path at RAF Leeming.
"The land is currently high productivity agricultural land. Scruton Parish Council completely understand the growing need for green renewable energy and support the call for solar farms. However, there is a place for everything and everything has a place.
"This is most definitely not the place for a solar farm. If it goes ahead as planned, it will have a significant impact on the surrounding landscape and its size, in comparison to the neighbouring village of Scruton, it will forever change the material character of that village."
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