Tenant farmers lose bid to stop solar farm from being built on agricultural land

Emma and Rob Sturdy said they were devastated after Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook granted permission for solar infrastructure to be built at Eden Farm in North Yorkshire, despite noting how the project could result in ‘irreversible detriment' to Eden Farm as an agricultural business entity

Chris Brayford
clock • 6 min read
The Sturdy family have been left 'devastated and shell shocked' after the Government approved plans for Harmony Energy to build solar farm infrastructure on their 110 hectare farm. Emma Sturdy said: "It feels like the Government is taking a huge swipe at successful farming businesses and making them unviable because they prioritise solar over agriculture at all costs."
Image:

The Sturdy family have been left 'devastated and shell shocked' after the Government approved plans for Harmony Energy to build solar farm infrastructure on their 110 hectare farm. Emma Sturdy said: "It feels like the Government is taking a huge swipe at successful farming businesses and making them unviable because they prioritise solar over agriculture at all costs."

North Yorkshire tenant farmers have been left ‘shell shocked' after the Government granted permission for a solar farm to be built on their 110 hectare farm. Emma and Rob Sturdy, from Eden Farm in Old...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Tenancy

Tenants express disappointment at Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall farm sale

Tenants express disappointment at Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall farm sale

Tenant farmers at Bradninch estate in Devon have been offered first refusal to purchase the land

Chris Brayford
clock 31 March 2026 • 4 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Lynette Steel: "Defra must deliver on its promises"

EXCLUSIVE - Lynette Steel: "Defra must deliver on its promises"

Lynette Steel, TFA farm policy adviser, writes on why Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds must back up promises made at the NFU Conference by delivering delivering tangible and timely outcomes for farmers

Lynette Steel
clock 18 March 2026 • 3 min read
Farm tenants seek to delay sale of £67 million rural estate

Farm tenants seek to delay sale of £67 million rural estate

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association is calling for the sale of Tulchan Estate in Moray to be delayed until the concerns of tenant farmers have been addressed regarding their pre-emptive right to buy

Chris Brayford
clock 11 March 2026 • 3 min read