Council planners have questioned what the effect would be of one of the UK’s largest solar energy schemes on the physical and mental health of the local population.
North Yorkshire Council offices say the approach to assessing the consequences of the planned 500MW Light Valley Solar Scheme taken by the developers risks underestimating the impact on local residents.
Island Green Power UK Ltd is preparing a planning application for a network of seven solar farms on 1,020 hectares of land between the villages of Escrick, Monk Fryston, Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford, between York and Selby.
n its response to the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) prepared by the developer, the authority noted that the report did not appear to include a clear assessment of the impact on human health of aspects of the development.
That had been requested by the planning inspector, who will advise the Secretary of State on whether to give the go-ahead for the scheme.
The council’s response added: “The area in which the project is being proposed is already experiencing significant and disproportionately (sic) amount of large-scale development which can also impact up the population in terms of physical and mental health.
“This is particularly the case give that in terms of human impact, the impacts will be experienced over many years, in the case of Light Valley Solar this could be 60 years.
“However, human health conditions can take time to reverse; therefore the impact may be experienced in the population beyond this 60-year time frame.”
The council has suggested that more reports are prepared to further assess the impact on human health.
As well as 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.
The council has also asked for more information on the potential of the BESS to catch fire and how the emergency response team would react.
“Prevailing winds will blow the fumes over Hambleton and there is a concern that the fire service will let any fire burn out,” it added.
The authority said there were significant concerns about the use of good quality agricultural land..
It added: “The council would encourage further discussion to better understand the choices for land take including options appraisals and mechanisms used.”
‘No appropriate assessment’
Commenting on the council’s response, Louise Billingham, from the campaign group Rooftops Not Countryside – North Yorkshire Against Light Valley Solar, said: “It is clear that human health considerations have been raised as a significant issue by the local authority.
“They clearly state that Light Valley Solar have not done an appropriate assessment of the potential impacts on physical and mental well-being of local residents.
“I am glad that this has been recognised, and I do hope that they will held to account in relation to this.”
The solar scheme will be discussed by members of the strategic planning committee on Tuesday next week.
Officers will seek permission from the committee to submit a local impact report for the application and make any necessary representations on behalf of the authority.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached Light Valley Solar for comment.
The developer has previously said the scheme would provide enough power for 115,000 homes a year.
