![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Tunstallsolar12.jpg\")
The location of the proposed solar farm near Tunstall.<\/p>\n‘Domestic food security is national security and it must be protected’<\/p>\n
Joe Willis, Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n
00:01, 07 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
The location of the proposed solar farm near Tunstall.<\/p>\n
A North Yorkshire parish council has warned that continuing to use good agricultural land for green energy developments could leave the nation short of food. Tunstall Parish Council has urged councillors to reject plans for a 23.5MW solar farm planned for fields south of the village near Catterick Garrison.<\/p>\n
The council has questioned a report which grades the land earmarked for the development at East Appleton Farm as grade 4, meaning it is poor quality agricultural land. It says adjacent land was classified a mixture of grade 3a and grade 3b, which is good and moderate quality land respectively.<\/p>\n
Stating that it believes the land earmarked for the solar farm has not been correctly classified, the parish council adds: “The council considered that if we keep allowing prime agricultural land to be used for such purposes, we should not be surprised if, one day, we find ourselves asking a very basic question: where is the food going to come from?<\/p>\n
“We can’t be a country which produces some of the finest produce in the world to the highest standards dependant on imports of lower-grade and sub-standard produce. Domestic food security is national security and it must be protected.”<\/p>\n
The parish council outlined a number of other concerns about the application, including fears it would lead to an increased risk of flooding, the development being a fire hazard and the disruption to wildlife. A total of 117 objections to the scheme have been received by North Yorkshire<\/a> Council, with 25 in support.<\/p>\n Historic England has also raised concerns about the impact of the solar farm on two historic round barrows, which its describes as “remarkably well-preserved” Bronze Age burial mounds. The public body has called for further assessments to be carried out to better understand the impact of the scheme on the monuments.<\/p>\n Applicants Enviromena say the solar farm would produce enough renewable energy to power more than 11,000 homes a year. Lee Adams, chief commercial officer at Enviromena, said: “Our application is being considered through the local planning process, where agricultural land classification is assessed in line with national guidance.<\/p>\n “This assessment has been undertaken by independent, appropriately qualified specialists, with the findings considered by the local planning authority as part of its decision-making. We recognise the importance of local views and engagement, and have undertaken extensive community consultation to help shape the proposals.<\/p>\n “Feedback received has informed a number of changes to the scheme, including amendments to site access arrangements to respond to concerns raised by local residents and the parish council.”<\/p>\n Mr Adams said the submitted plans included detailed environmental assessments and mitigation measures to “minimise impacts and ensure each project contributes positively to the UK’s clean energy transition, while supporting the delivery of safe, affordable, and reliable renewable energy”.<\/p>\n For the latest Teesside news direct to your inbox every day, sign up to our free newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we’ll send you the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’<\/a>.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_JS224716586.jpg\")
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