Decisions loom on massive solar farm projects
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband’s decision over Boom Power’s plan for 400MW of photovoltaic panels across open countryside, between Gribthorpe, Spaldington, Wressle and Howden, will follow a six-month examination period for the Development Consent Order (DCO) coming to an end this week and a planning inspector submitting a report to the minister in the new year.
The report will feature concerns raised to East Riding Council's planning committee that while residents chose to live in the area for its open countryside, the proposal equated to the size of the city of Durham, meaning it would radically change the nature of the area.
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Hide AdWard councillor Victoria Aitken said: “We actually believe that food security is also a national priority. When I have walked these lanes or cycled and I've been in these hamlets, the environment is a farming environment that produces food for us to eat. Once the solar panels are in, that environment will change completely."


Meanwhile, a decision is expected from Mr Miliband over a plan for a large-scale solar farm across Robert and Emma Sturdy’s tenanted farm in Old Malton, following a public inquiry hearing the venture would undermine the enterprise they had spent decades investing in.
It is believed the decision will signal the government’s stance towards renewable energy schemes, such as Boom Power’s proposed 237.5MW co-located solar and storage project in Fenwick, Doncaster
Earlier this year the company closed its second public consultation into the Soth Yorkshire scheme and plans to submit the application for a DCO next month.
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Hide AdMr Miliband, who in September vowed to take on the “blockers” opposed to solar farms, will decide upon the East Riding scheme as it has been judged a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
Meanwhile Boom Power has submitted a second NSIP, Fenwick Solar Farm. The scheme is situated on land to the east of Fenwick, north of the City of Doncaster, neighbouring the town of Askern and the smaller villages of Moss, Topham and Sykehouse.
The company said the close of examination milestone brought the project, which If approved, the solar would connect to the National Grid at the Drax substation in North Yorkshire, closer to the finishing line.
Reaching the close of examination for the Howdenshire solar farm is a milestone which edges Boom Power closer to the project finish line, the company said. Boom Power founder Mark Hogan said: “It is a brilliant project that will strengthen the UK’s energy security. Similarly, the team alongside our consultants have worked tirelessly to bring the Fenwick Solar Farm to fruition. Fenwick will help to meet the urgent need for a secure, affordable and decarbonised UK electricity system. These two projects will collectively make a vast imprint on addressing the issue of climate change.”
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