Opposition grows to huge solar scheme in North Yorkshire countryside
The Light Valley scheme would power 115,000 homes a year
Opposition is growing to plans for what would be one of the UK’s largest solar energy schemes as a fresh consultation is launched over the proposal.
Campaign group, Rooftops Not Countryside – North Yorkshire Against Light Valley Solar, says it has raised a fighting fund of more than £2,000 and collected the signatures of almost 3,000 people opposed to Island Green Power’s aim to build a 500MW solar scheme between York and Selby.
Light Valley Solar would consist of seven solar farms on 1,020 hectares of land between the villages of Escrick, Monk Fryston, Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford.
Further land would be used for underground cabling to connect the sites to the national grid at Monk Fryston substation.
A 500MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is also proposed as part of the development.
A third consultation exercise has recently been launched by the energy developer.
South Milford resident Louise Billingham, spokesperson for Rooftops Not Countryside, said: “This impromptu round of consultation is for Light Valley Solar to make changes that will remove established hedgerows, trees and nature, and also build lay-bys and roads.”
She said the group was opposed to the plans due to their “vast scale and inappropriate placement”.
She added: “They plan to build one million four-metre high solar panels, numerous substations, and BESS sites, as well as cable corridors, high-security fencing and CCTV across 13 miles of countryside between Monk Fryston and Escrick.
“Our countryside will no longer be countryside, it will be a vast industrial estate.”
The money raised by the group through a crowd-funding appeal is paying for banners and leaflets to raise awareness about the solar farm.
Annette Lardeur, senior project development manager for Light Valley Solar, said: “The changes we are consulting on are minor in nature and have been introduced to improve safety and access if the scheme is consented.
“As well as this, they aim to reduce the amount of construction traffic passing through villages. I encourage people to share their views.”
Due to the size of the proposed development, the scheme has been declared a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning planning permission will be decided by the national Planning Inspectorate, rather than North Yorkshire Council.
If granted approval, Light Valley would be larger than the biggest solar scheme currently operational — Cleave Hill in Kent.
The developer says the scheme would provide enough power for 115,000 homes a year.
The consultation runs until November 20.