East Cowton Solar Farm
Introducing East Cowton Solar Farm
Green Nation are proposing to develop a 115-acre solar farm on land at Frigidale Farm, Northallerton, DL6 2NF. Our planning application has been submitted and validated, with the following planning reference: ZB25/01134/FUL.
The solar farm will have a generating capacity of up to 28 megawatts (MWp) for distribution to the National Grid. This is the equivalent to the annual electrical needs of approximately 10,370 family homes while the anticipated CO2 displacement is around 14,572 tonnes per year, which represents an emission saving equivalent of a reduction in 7,220 petrol cars on the road every year.
It is important to note that this project will not be subsidised, therefore will not require government funding.
Local Benefits of the Solar Farm
It will assist North Yorkshire Council in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with local and national targets in response to the Climate Emergency.
It will contribute towards the security of energy supply through the provision of local, renewable electricity.
The solar farm will fund sustainable projects that directly benefit the local community.
Careful consideration has been given to the development to avoid effects on landscape, heritage, or ecological designations.
Helping to support an increased number of plant and animal species, including protected species, within the solar farm site.
The site will promote long term soil formation and protection as well as provide carbon storage and recycling.
Good design and careful positioning limit the impact to the existing landscape.
The site will allow the land to rest and will be returned to full agricultural use at the end of its life span (40 years) through the provision of a planning condition.
Thank you to everyone who attended our public consultation event
We held a public consultation event on 20th February from 2pm to 7pm at East Cowton Village Hall, Main Street, East Cowton, DL7 0DF.
Green Nation has been in business since 2011 and in that time have developed numerous solar farms. We also work with owners to put private solar on commercial buildings, schools and houses.
We manage solar farms and rooftop systems, generating millions of kilowatt hours of electricity annually for businesses, communities and neighbourhoods.
We have continued to grow and expand our base in the UK whilst maintaining our mission of providing affordable and sustainable energy for all.
About Green Nation
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Climate Emergency, the cost of living crisis and the energy crunch are all linked by how we generate, use and supply energy. We urgently need to generate energy from new, low cost, low carbon sources and solar is the lowest cost and quickest to deploy of all energy sources. It is currently one-ninth the cost of gas and less than one third of the cost of nuclear.
Solar is already making a difference, for example between June and August in 2022, solar often provided up to 25% of UK daytime electricity (National Grid ESO carbon app). The Government’s new strategy Powering Up Britain – Delivering Energy Security and Net Zero (March 2023) has set a target for a fivefold increase in solar by 2035, up to 70GW, enough to power around 20 million homes. This can only be achieved by deploying solar on both land and buildings.
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For our solar farm projects we require a nearby grid connection, a well-screened site that is consistent with planning policy and a supportive landowner. East Cowton Solar Farm offers all of these features.
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The solar farm is a temporary development and will not change the land classification from agricultural greenfield to commercial/industrial brownfield. In effect, it will remain agricultural land when the solar farm has been decommissioned.
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No, solar panels have no moving parts and emit no sound. Inverters and transformers can emit very low level sound, but these are sited away from houses and cannot be heard from more than a few metres away.
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The UK Food Security Report (2021) found that “the biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”.
Solar farms currently account for 0.08% of total land use in the UK (Solar Energy UK 2022). The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space used by golf courses.
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There is no evidence that solar farms have a negative impact on wildlife. In fact, wildlife thrives within the sites when managed sensitively.
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It typically takes 6-9 months to build a solar farm of this size. Site working would typically be Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings only.
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Green Nation will contribute funds to local community projects as part of our solar farm investment.
Project Timeline
February 2024
Pre-Submission Consultation
March 2024
Finalise Proposed Design
April 2024
Submit Planning Application
Approx. 13 weeks from validation of application
Planning Decision
2025/2026
Construction
(if granted approval)
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