Old Etonian landowner faces Bedale couple in dispute over 113-acre solar farm

A solar farm proposal for 113 acres in North Yorkshire has set a Bedale couple against a neighboring landowner who is a former Eton schoolmate of Prince William and reportedly dated Kate Middleton when the couple briefly split. The plan, submitted this summer, would see Enviromena Developments install a solar park on land owned by Sir Henry Ropner, with the option agreement and leasing terms dating back to February 2024. The project is currently awaiting a decision from North Yorkshire Council.

Nigel and Crystal Foster, both in their late 50s and early 60s, have lived at Lord's Moor Farm, a four-bedroom property they bought in 1997, since moving from nearby smaller holdings. They say the 113-acre scheme would surround their home with thousands of solar panels, altering long‑standing views of the Yorkshire Dales and introducing security features, traffic, and industrial infrastructure that would reshape the character of the area. The land is owned by Sir Henry Ropner, who lives with his family at Thorp Perrow Hall, part of the Thorp Perrow estate, about two miles away. The Fosters say the arrangement has upended their sense of peace in what they describe as a tranquil, pastoral setting.

The lease arrangement forms a central plank of the dispute. Land Registry records show an option agreement in favor of Enviromena Developments, the renewable energy company backing the project, tied to Sir Henry’s land and requiring the landowner’s consent for sale until at least February 2031. Plans for the solar farm were filed in July and are under review, with the council taking public input and assessing impacts on landscape, biodiversity, and local traffic.

Enviromena says the project would deliver power to about 13,830 homes and would avert roughly 7,730 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The design calls for 7.2‑metre‑long solar panels that would rise up to 2.89 metres above ground level, according to the developer. If approved, the site would become the third solar installation within a 10‑km radius in the past six years. The plan has been revised to include some gaps to maintain certain views, but the Fosters say this is not sufficient to protect their home’s setting. They emphasize that their goal is to live in a renewable-energy landscape that respects local communities and natural habitats rather than industrialisation of the countryside.

The couple have raised concerns about visual intrusion, CCTV and security fences, noise from substations, and the broader impact on wildlife and birds. A 2024 breeding bird survey found 164 pairs across 38 species on the site, including red-listed house sparrows, grey partridges, skylarks and lapwings. The RSPB notes that lapwing numbers have declined sharply nationwide since the 1960s, and some residents fear solar farms could fragment habitats if not carefully managed. Proponents counter that solar farms occupy only a portion of land and can deliver ecological gains through hedgerow protection and native planting, as well as biodiversity enhancements that benefit local species when properly planned.

While the Fosters have said they would consider a buyout if offered, they say such a path has been rejected by the landowner and developer. Mr Foster has spoken of a perceived clash of cultures between metropolitan business interests and traditional rural values, calling the dispute irreconcilable and arguing the project would threaten the couple’s way of life. He underscored that the family has lived on the land for decades and raised three children there, and he framed the plan in terms of property rights and community impact rather than opposition to renewable energy per se.

Community fundraising and mobilization have accompanied the planning process. A GoFundMe campaign to help the Fosters pursue legal challenges has collected more than £3,000, and over 850 people have signed a petition opposing the scheme. The planners have invited the public to comment, and local residents have voiced a range of opinions about whether the benefits of renewable energy outweigh potential harms to rural heritage, wildlife, and privacy.

Enviromena says it began discussions with the Fosters and offered to explore refinements to address their concerns, including whether adjustments to access routes or screening could mitigate impact. The company notes that it is responsible for planning and communications related to the project and has stressed its commitment to delivering renewable energy while respecting local ecosystems and communities. Sir Henry did not respond to requests for comment, and a representative for the Thorp Perrow estate said the landowner would respond through official channels.

North Yorkshire Council declined to comment on a live planning application, saying it could not provide details while the case is under consideration. Local authorities routinely evaluate such projects against planning policies, landscape character, biodiversity, and the potential for community benefit, weighing demand for low‑carbon energy against the preservation of rural landscapes.

The 113-acre site’s location in relation to nearby features, agricultural land, and ecological corridors will be central to the planning decision. If approved, the solar farm would join a broader shift toward renewable energy infrastructure across rural Britain, raising questions about how communities negotiate the pace of change, the distribution of benefits, and the protection of cherished landscapes. The outcome of the North Yorkshire decision will be watched by neighbors, energy developers, and conservation groups alike as the country advances its net zero targets while balancing local interests.