The MP for Selby, Keir Mather, says there have been changes to the proposals for a huge solar farms south of York.
Island Green Power UK Ltd wants to build a network of seven such farms on 1,020 hectares of land between the villages of Escrick, Monk Fryston, Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford.
The Labour MP says since the original proposal was made public the following changes to the scheme have been made.
• Reduce the total size by over 100 hectares.
• Reduce the use of best and most-versatile (BMV) agricultural land by 40 hectares, so the proposal would now use about 1% of the total BMV land in the Selby area.
• Remove Fryston Common Lane in Monk Fryston and Main Street in Skipwith as routes for construction traffic.
• Include a commitment to plant 500 trees and 35km of hedgerow as part of the plans.
Keir Mather said: “I remain concerned about the scale of the project, and that’s why I’ve used my office to encourage local people to engage in the process.
“I’ve also held a meeting which allowed local Parish Council representatives to put concerns to LVS directly, and will be making the views of local people known to the Secretary of State at the appropriate time.
“But I also want to think about the future, and what might happen if this project is approved. Too often, developers talk a good game on community benefit but don’t deliver once their project is complete.
“That’s why I want to hold LVS to account on this, and give them no excuse to not deliver on what people want to see.
“I’ve already identified the need for a safer crossing in Hambleton and have discussed this with LVS, and I want to see road safety improvements as part of any proposal for community benefit.”
The MP says he still wants to hear from local people who have comments or concerns about the plans and ask them to email him.
