Robert and Emma Sturdy, the third generation to farm 280-acre Eden Farm, near Old Malton in North Yorkshire, have launched a campaign to save 130 acres earmarked for the scheme

Mr Sturdy said they have had no direct consultation with the landlord about the impact on their livelihood, just a conversation with their agent then a left through the door at the same time as all our neighbours.

“It is an incredibly stressful time. It feels like the rug has been pulled from under us,” Mr Sturdy said.

“My grandad came to this farm in 1954 and then my late father John took over in 1971. I took over the tenancy in 2014 and my dad felt he could rest easy – that we had a formal Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) tenancy agreement in place that allowed for the next generation after me to take over.

“It just feels like all the work we have put into improving the land and the habitat for wildlife counts for nothing.

“It is like a bad dream. Instead of opening curtains and looking out onto fields of corn or cattle grazing there could be thousands of glaring solar panels.”