Bedale: North Yorkshire solar farm plan opposed by residents' group
Plans for a large solar farm in North Yorkshire have been unveiled.Developers said the scheme, on land off Lords Lane, between Bedale and Exelby, would create enough renewable energy to power more than 13,800 homes a year.Energy company Enviromena has submitted a screening application to North Yorkshire Council to find out if extra reports would be needed before a planning application can be lodged.A campaign group formed in opposition to Stell Solar Farm said the solar farm would lead to the loss of good agricultural land.
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.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Human remains found in search for Polish woman who disappeared 15 years ago
Human remains have been found in the search as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a woman 15 years ago. Izabela Helena Zablocka came to the UK in 2009 from Poland and was living in the Normanton area of Derby, but lost contact with her family in August 2010, Derbyshire Police said. Despite her family's efforts to trace her, Ms Zablocka has never been found and a missing person report was not made to any UK authorities at the time. A murder investigation was launched last week after police said new information came to light. After searches focused at an address in Princes Street, Normanton, human remains were discovered in the property's garden which are thought to be those of Ms Zablocka, the force said. A 39-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murder was re-arrested on Monday. Two other women, aged 39 and 43, and a 41-year-old man who were previously arrested last week remain on bail. Detective Inspector Kane Martin said: 'Izabela's family are at the forefront of our minds following this discovery and, whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, it is our belief that these remains do belong to Izabela. 'As such, we have spoken with Izabela's family in Poland, and they are aware. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. 'Identification of the remains is likely to be a lengthy process, but we will issue updates when we are able. 'I know that reports of these findings will send shockwaves through the local community, and I understand the concern of residents.' Officers will remain in Princes Street in the coming days with detectives putting together information about the days before Izabela's death, DI Martin said. He added: 'We know that someone out there will have information about Izabela that may help us understand what happened to her, and urge anyone who saw, spoke to, or heard anything about Izabela in July or August 2010 to come forward. 'You may hold the key piece of information that we need to understand the full circumstances of Izabela's disappearance, and to give her family answers on what happened to their loved one.' Crimestoppers is offering up to £20,000 for exclusive information relating to the investigation that leads to a conviction, with the reward valid for three months until August 27. Anyone with information can contact the charity via its website or by calling 0800 555 111.
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle has died in Scotland at the age of 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Vital routes to be protected as part of buses overhaul
Vital bus services will be protected from sudden cuts under new legislation, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. Councils in England will put strict requirements in place before 'socially necessary' routes can be changed or cancelled, the department said. This is aimed at services to locations such as hospitals and schools. The measure is part of the Government's Bus Services Bill, which reached its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday. This will lead to an overhaul of buses, such as by giving all local transport authorities new powers to run their own services. The Government will also reduce some of the red tape involved in bus franchising, including reducing the minimum period between local areas taking control of services and being allowed to start operations. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We're committed to giving local leaders the power to shape the bus services their communities rely on. 'Our Bus Services Bill is a big step forward, protecting vital services that people depend on to get to work, school or essential appointments. 'We have taken a decisive step towards better buses, building on our £1 billion investment to improve and maintain bus services, keeping people connected, driving up living standards and growing the economy.' Ben Plowden, of lobby group the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'Buses are the most-used form of public transport. 'Preserving vital bus services has long been central to our campaigning, so the new protections in the Bus Services Bill are very welcome indeed. 'Protecting existing services, and identifying and filling gaps in the network, is the way to ensure everyone can access opportunities and stay connected.' Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon attacked the Bus Services Bill as 'an ideological move that threatens essential services'. He said: 'They scrapped the £2 fare cap, slashed support for routes, and now want to strip away safeguards so councils can seize control of networks they aren't capable of operating. 'This is about Labour clinging to a fantasy of municipal socialism, whatever the cost to those who rely on local transport. Without the requirement to prove any benefit to passengers, Labour-run councils will be free to run yet another public service into the ground. 'We're not opposed to local decision-making. But this Bill offers no real investment, no credible delivery model, and no route to better services.'
