Residents concerned about a huge solar scheme planned for the North Yorkshire countryside have been urged to register to have their say.
The national Planning Inspectorate has begun a consultation on the 500MW Light Valley Solar development.
Island Green Power UK Ltd has submitted a development consent order 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.
Anyone wanting to comment on the plans has until April 30 to register with the Planning Inspectorate.
Comments on the scheme should be submitted with the registration, with those registered able to submit further comments later in the process.
The campaign group, Rooftops Not Countryside – North Yorkshire Against Light Valley Solar, has been formed to fight the development.
The group is encouraging residents to register now to make their views known
A spokesperson added: “This is your chance to have a say on the proposed Light Valley Solar project.
“It only takes a few minutes to register, and once registered, you can add further comments later down the line. If you don’t register before April 30, you will not be able to have a say on the plans.”
The group says it is in favour of green energy.
But the spokesperson added: “We believe that green energy infrastructure should be locally owned, ran and supportive of the community.
“It should be in the appropriate places, including brownfield sites, industrial areas and rooftops, not agricultural land and open countryside.”
Keir Mather, MP for Selby and Kippax, said he recently convened a meeting between local parish councils and Light Valley Solar.
He said that following this meeting, project bosses had made a number of changes, including a reduction in the amount of land classified as best and most versatile by 40 hectares.
Other changes include the removal of a proposed 275kV substation between Monk Fryston and South Milford and 33kV sub-distribution rooms near Hillam and Hambleton.
Land near Birkin and Escrick, which has a higher risk of flooding, has also been removed from the scheme, the MP said.
He added: “Whilst I welcome (these) changes, I must be honest and say that they don’t do enough to allay some of my concerns about this proposal.
“‘ll be assisting residents in having their say, and will be writing to the Secretary of State to make the views of local people clear when the process reaches that stage.”
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 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.
To register to comment in the scheme, go here.
