Gazette and Herald, Karen Darley, 8th September

A FAMILY fighting to save part of their farm from a solar energy scheme have said they are encouraged by the support in their campaign.

Robert and Emma Sturdy, who live on the 280-acre Eden Farm near Old Malton, with their children Sebastian and Lizzie, are campaigning to save a 130 acres area earmarked for the project.

Yorkshire-based Harmony Energy is considering submitting a proposal to Ryedale District Council to build a solar farm with battery energy storage on land owned by the Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation.

The development would see the installation of more than 90,000 free-standing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with the capacity to generate up to 50MW of low carbon electricity, enough to supply more than 14,000 homes.

Robert said they had received lots of interest and support at their stand at the Malton Food Festival last weekend.

“We have had a great couple of days at the festival. We have gained even more support from local people. It was so encouraging to listen to so many people telling us they agreed with us. The town, let alone us, does not want to see its local food producing fields and a farmland destroyed.

The stand promoted the family’s campaign whilst at the same time promoting British food and farming.

Robert said: “The food festival flourishes off the back of a farmer’s endeavours and this proposal is contrary to the foodie image of the town. Nobody could understand why or how we can be a foodie town whilst at the same time destroying farmers and taking away their livelihood. The visitors to the festival love food and want to appreciate and know where their food comes from.”

Emma said: “We would like to thank Visit Malton for supporting us at the Malton Food Festival, it’s been so worthwhile. And we are so grateful to all those too who came and campaigned for us and for those how supported us in one way or another, especially so many of the local shops in town. What has become so clear and is so encouraging is that so many people in that the market town of Malton agree with us – Harmony Energy’s proposal is a very bad example of how to bring solar to Ryedale.”

A spokesperson for Harmony Energy said: “We have delayed our application while we consider all options for the proposed site. We have listened to the feedback of local people and the parish council and plan to undertake further consultation with the local community before we move forward with our proposals for Old Malton.”