The decision by Minister Matthew Pennycook MP, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, to approve the solar farm at Eden Farm, Old Malton is a deeply flawed and irresponsible move that threatens the future of British agriculture, local communities, and the Sturdy family, who will suffer substantial and irreparable harm as a result.
By allowing Harmony Energy Ltd to develop a vast 52.86-hectare solar farm on prime agricultural land, the government has signalled that energy security is now more important than food security—an alarming and shortsighted policy direction. This decision not only undermines British farming but also jeopardises long-term national food supply stability in favour of a short-term renewable energy project.
A Blow to British Farming and Food Security
Around 60% of the land in question is classified as Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, meaning it is some of the most fertile and productive farmland in the country. The loss of this land to an industrial-scale solar development is a direct attack on British agriculture at a time when domestic food production should be a priority.
The government’s own policies recognise the importance of food security, yet this decision disregards those commitments. Instead of protecting our ability to produce food locally, this ruling risks increasing our reliance on imports, exposing the UK to volatile global food markets and compromising sustainability.
Devastating Impact on the Sturdy Family
Perhaps most distressing is the devastating impact this decision will have on the Sturdy family, long-standing tenant farmers at Eden Farm. Despite compelling evidence presented at the public inquiry, the government has chosen to destroy a successful working farm, causing great hardship and uncertainty for a hardworking farming family with deep roots in the local community.
The Sturdys have farmed this land for years, and their livelihoods depend on it. The decision to remove almost half their land from their tenancy will further impact the remaining farm business and threatens the security of their family home. It is both unfair and unnecessary, ignoring the very real human cost of this development. The long term irreversible damage to their family business and way of life should never have been dismissed so lightly in favour of corporate energy interests.
As I have consistently highlighted, planning policy is very clear that large scale solar should not be located on best and most versatile land.
The UK is at risk of swapping energy security for food security if it continues to put solar panels on productive farmland.
A Reckless and Unjustified Decision
While renewable energy is important, it should never come at the expense of food production and farming families. The approval of this solar farm:
- Undermines national food security by taking productive farmland out of use.
- Fails to address fully the devastating human impact on the Sturdy family and their business.
