The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is urgently calling for the Government to explain how tenant farmers can be protected as solar developments advance across rural communities.

This follows the decision earlier this week, by Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, on behalf of the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, to allow a major solar development at Eden Farm, Old Malton, North Yorkshire. The farm is tenanted by Rob and Emma Sturdy. This application had previously been denied by the North Yorkshire Strategic Planning Committee.

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said, "The decision of the Inspector, backed by the Secretary of State, to allow this appeal is primarily a huge personal blow to the Sturdy family, who have fought tirelessly to defend their security and their livelihood. I pay tribute to their bravery and tenacity in fighting this battle. It is also a massive hit for the local community whose own local authority resoundingly rejected the planning application for this solar development for a host of reasons including the impact on the Sturdy’s as the farm tenants on the subject holding.”

“This decision is also crushing for the wider tenanted sector. The inspector fully identified the hugely negative impact of this development on the personal circumstances of the Sturdy’s but chose, along with the Secretary of State, to turn a blind eye to those realities. So much for the promise made by Sir Keir Starmer that in advancing solar farm developments, it would not be at the expense of tenant farmers. We need the Government to explain urgently how it will protect other tenant farmers from having to face this trauma," said Mr Dunn.

The TFA has for a long time advocated for the protection of valuable tenanted agricultural land due to the impact such developments can have on the personal circumstances and the businesses of tenant farmers.

The Sturdy family have been deeply affected by this decision. They have released a statement:

“We are shocked and devastated at this ill-judged decision which will cause immeasurable damage to our successful farming business and leave us with a very uncertain and difficult future.

Our efforts fighting this application have been mammoth, with an outstanding contribution from our team of professional advisors. But it wasn’t to be. During the Public Inquiry, we put forward a strong case to the Inspector. We could not have done any more. We have fought with integrity, tenacity and a strong moral compass that sought to protect the characteristics of this part of North Yorkshire. Today, unlike some, we can hold our heads high.

In approving the scheme, the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, has ruled in favour of renewable energy over the “irreversible detriment” to an existing successful agricultural business and in the full knowledge that the development is “not entirely in accordance with local policy”.

But our efforts were not totally in vain. The Inspector has agreed that the impact on us is significant and exceptional by comparison to other schemes” and recognises the harm to our business carries substantial overarching weight against granting permission for the appeal. Yet clearly none of this has been enough to trump the benefit of clean energy.

Quite simply, this Labour Government does not support the hard-working farmer or family business, and the drive to Net Zero nationally and locally is destroying businesses like ours. The prospect now for other tenant farmers successfully opposing solar energy schemes is remote in the extreme.”

The Sturdy’s concluded, “Solar appeals are notoriously difficult to challenge; we went into this with our eyes wide open and have always known that our arguments were sound in accordance with planning policy and we always hoped in our hearts that common decency and justice would prevail. We have no regrets, but of course, we are deeply disappointed.”

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, added, "This is a clear indication that the Government's current approach to solar energy development is not aligned with the interests and rights of tenant farmers. The Sturdy family’s case highlights the critical need for clearer policies and stronger protections for farming communities facing similar threats."

The TFA remains committed to supporting its members and the wider tenanted sector of agriculture to ensure that it remains sustainable as we navigate the complex balance between renewable energy needs and preserving farmland.