Gillbeck Farm, Bewerley, Harrogate, HG3 5JF

30 ground mounted solar panels

Authority: Harrogate Borough Council *
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: utilities-energy · Other minor developments
Inspector: Gray E

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the benefits of the proposal, including the production of energy from a renewable resource, outweigh any harmful impacts, having particular regard to the effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

What decided it

The substantial benefits of renewable energy generation in tackling the climate crisis and meeting the statutory Net Zero target by 2050 outweigh the limited and localised adverse impact on the AONB landscape.

Framework references: 176, 158, 154

Plan policies cited: Policy GS6, Policy CC3

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Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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