Alternative Solar Farm at Harewood Whin

07/03/2025

The Harewood Whin solar application has been revised to two mounds. The panels on the Knapton side of the Foss have been removed due to ‘Glint and Glare’ issues for aviation safety. The two proposed mounds will generate something in the region of 18-20MW, as compared to the original 28MW. As a result of smaller capacity there may be opportunity for a connection to the National Grid.

For now, all other options to develop as Green Energy Park, such as green hydrogen, battery storage and charging of buses have been ruled out.

07/11/2023

Rufforth with Knapton PC formally supports the proposal for the installation of a solar farm at Harewood Whin, as agreed at the Parish Council meeting on 6th November, details as follows:

RE 23/01732/FULM – INSTALLATION OF A SOLAR FARM AT HAREWOOD WHIN.

Rufforth with Knapton Parish Council supports the above application. It is noted that the proposed site is in the Green Belt, but we acknowledge the need for renewable energy and the fact that the land is reclaimed landfill. Along with relatively little damage to the openness of the Green Belt this does, we believe, create ‘special circumstances’.

1. The Rufforth with Knapton Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the development plan for the area. Para8:17:6 states “the Plan also supports a solar panel installation on Harewood Whin (if economic circumstances are favourable) providing its exact location does not have an adverse effect on the openness and character and setting of the Green Belt. Renewable energy is not considered as appropriate development in the Green Belt (NPPF) but being reclaimed landfill it is considered that special circumstances exist for such a project “. The purpose of a Neighbourhood Plan is to give local communities a say in development in their area. The Rufforth with Knapton Neighbourhood Plan went to referendum in 2018 with 93% voting in favour.  It is our contention that the Neighbourhood Plan carries very significant weight in determining this application.
2. The location of the panels, within the curtilage of the landfill, avoids significant damage to the openness of views from the surrounding area and allows for adequate screening on the slopes of the landfill.
3. There is no loss of productive agricultural land, and the project therefore poses no risk to food security.
4. Being reclaimed landfill, the site has no other potential land use, even for tree planting.
5. The hedging and screening around the site and through the valley of the Fosse provide wildlife corridors.
6. We note that as yet there is no detail on location or design of sub station or the route for connection to the Grid and would expect to comment on these before plans are finalised.

We note that there is already a planning application (23/00626/FULM) in the system for a solar farm on land between Hessay and Rufforth. The Parish Council have previously submitted their strong objection to this application.

It is our understanding that there is only Grid capacity for one of these proposals and the Parish Council strongly believes that the Harewood Whin application is eminently more suitable and more closely meets the criteria defined in the emerging York Local Plan.

Comparing the two applications:

1. Harewood Whin does not involve the loss of productive agricultural land as does the Hessay / Rufforth option. We note that this was the reason for the refusal of a recent solar farm application in North Yorkshire.
2. Because of topography, the Harewood Whin has nowhere near the damaging effect on the openness of the Green belt as the other proposal. In particular, and most importantly to local residents, the wonderful views over open fields to the village and Church of Rufforth from the PROW will be preserved if the Harewood Whin application is preferred.
3. Harewood Whin is further away from residential properties and in particular the villages of Rufforth and Hessay. Properties on the northern side of Rufforth would suffer from glare and have their views across open countryside adversely effected by the Hessay / Rufforth option. We believe the Harewood Whin project would have a minimal effect on residential properties.
4. Due to the greater distance from residential properties the health concerns we expressed as a result of low volume, low frequency sound from the equipment would not be an issue with Harewood Whin.
5. There are existing transport links for HGV’S to Harewood Whin, with an operating agreement in place between Yorwaste and the Parish council to avoid lorries travelling through the village of Rufforth. This agreement has worked extremely well over the past six years. We therefore have full confidence in traffic management issues as opposed to the alternative where there are severe safety concerns with construction traffic proceeding along Tinker Lane.
6. The Gliding Club have expressed severe concerns over safety with the Rufforth/Hessay proposal (emergency landing area and glare). It is our understanding that as Harewood Whin is offset from the flight path there will be significantly less concern with his proposal.

In summary this application is supported by the Neighbourhood Plan and, if we accept the requirement for renewable energy, has significantly less adverse effect on the Green belt than the alternative, and the site is on reclaimed land. It meets the criteria set out in the draft Local Plan and fits CYC’s net zero policy as we understand it and as such it is clearly the most sensible option.

28/10/2023

23/01732/FULM | Yorwaste Harewood Whin Tinker Lane Rufforth York YO23 3RR
For: Installation of a solar farm with associated infrastructure, access and security fencing

Yorwaste have submitted a planning application for a Solar Installation on Harewood Whin, the details of which can be found here. Residents will be aware that there is already another planning application in the system for a solar farm on land between Rufforth and Hessay. The Parish Council understands that there is only Grid capacity for one of these proposals so the Yorwaste application should be regarded as an alternative.

This application will be debated at the Parish Council Meeting on Monday November 6th at 7:30pm in the Institute, Rufforth. As always, this meeting is open to the public, so please come along to hear more about the proposals and let us have your views. If you wish to speak please register with the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Please respond to the consultation which is open until the 17th November and let CYC have your opinion. After the meeting, once the Parish Council has agreed a response, we will circulate a summary to residents for their use if they so wish.