BOSSES at a national park in North Yorkshire have warned protecting its landscape will be the priority despite an increase in renewable energy schemes to allow rural residents to power their homes.
A dairy farmer on the North York Moors saw an application for a 24-metre wind turbine turned down last week despite figures showing his electricity bills were set to more than double over the next decade, which could threaten his business.
National park authorities are reported to be considering easing planning rules to help people living within their boundaries make use of renewable energy projects, but Chris France, director of planning at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said the organisation was now looking to find a “compromise solution”.
“The authority takes a positive approach to renewable energy development in the North York Moors,” he said.
“However, not all schemes are suitable for a protected landscape like the moors. The authority will resist large-scale and inappropriate developments which would harm this.”
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