Ground-mounted solar panels at Land To The East Of The Swinton Estate, Located To The East Of Swinton Road And South Of Masham Golf Course

What was proposed

The application sought solar panels with landscaping, inverters, a transformer, CCTV, fencing and cabling to the estate buildings.

“The proposal seeks full planning permission for the installation of ground mounted solar panels, landscaping and associated works. As well as the main solar panels this will include; 9 no. inverters, in groups of 3, a small…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The panels would occupy the northern edge of an arable field near woodland, roads, a footpath, the National Landscape and heritage assets.

“The application site is part of the wider Swinton Estate, to the south-west of Masham. The main body of the site is located within a large arable field to the north-east of Swinton Park, to the east side of Swinton Road. The solar panels will be located to the northern edge of the field. The northern field boundary adjoins a wooded area known as Mell Bush, which screens the site to the north, with the land then falling down towards the River Burn.”

“The surrounding landscape character area is rural and lies within the river Burn Valley Farmland that is largely wooded and follows the course of the Burn from the upland down to the Ure corridor at Masham. A public right of way runs west to east to the southern side of the field. The solar panels will be a sufficient distance away and will not conflict with the footpath. Description of Proposal…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because policy supported renewable energy and the benefits outweighed limited landscape and heritage effects.

“The proposed solar panels are required to provide a renewable source of energy for the Swinton Estate, the principle of which is supported by policy CC3 that supports the development of renewable and low carbon energy projects subject to no other material planning considerations outweighing the benefit of the provision of a renewable energy project. 11.2.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council and specialist consultees supported the proposal or raised no objection, while ecology advice sought conditions for biodiversity and wildlife protection.

“The following consultation responses have been received and have been summarised below: Parish Council: Supports the application. Nidderdale National Landscape Joint Advisory Board: The site has well established woodland backing along its northern boundary and the topography of the site and surrounding mature trees and hedgerows provide effective screening from public footpaths within the National Landscape and the main public road between Low Swinton and…”

“Ecology: The Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) report (Climate Solutions Exchange Ltd, June, 2025) and corresponding metric indicates achieving mandatory net gain with 135.04% area habitats net gain and satisfying the trading rules. This is achieved by the creation of other neutral grassland, native hedgerow and modified grassland and satisfying the trading rules.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Chief Executive of the [name withheld] spoke in support of the application.

What members discussed

Members discussed grass maintenance, moving the panels outside the National Landscape, renewable energy and biodiversity net gain.

“During consideration of the application, Members discussed the following issues:”

“How would the maintenance of the grass under the solar panels be undertaken i.e. by using sheep or glyphosates. • Siting of the panels moved outside the Nidderdale National Landscape. • Renewable energy supporting the Swinton Estate and the bio-diversity net gain.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee unanimously granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the officer recommendation.

“That the application is GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the Assistant Director’s report.”

“A vote was taken and the motion was unanimously declared carried.”

Minutes