Bedale: North Yorkshire solar farm plan opposed by residents' group
The development would help North Yorkshire Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the energy company.A spokesperson for the company said: "Solar farm installations have a small footprint on the land they occupy, leaving considerable scope for biodiversity enhancements."Research has shown that responsibly managed solar farms can play an important role in reducing the decline in biodiversity."They added that existing trees and hedgerows would be protected under the proposals.
The Say No To Stell Solar campaign group said the plans could lead to more solar schemes and battery storage plants in the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.In a statement, the group said: "This large solar installation will dominate the rural landscape."At 2.3m (7.5ft) to 3m (10ft) high, there is no way of seeing over, under or through the panels."The views from the public rights of way will be narrowed and hemmed in."They said they feared wildlife would be "displaced and impacted" by the plans.
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