The Clean Air Solar Farm could eventually power 160,000 homes, if it is given the go-ahead by government
The government is keen for more solar farms to be developed, to help deliver sustainable energy around the UK (stock photo)(Image: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)
An East Riding councillor has demanded that developers of a huge solar scheme deliver further in-person public consultation events in Cottingham and Skidby. He says that residents are being denied an accessible forum to challenge far-reaching plans for the region’s largest solar and battery development.
The Clean Air Solar Farm could eventually power 160,000 homes, if it is given the go-ahead. It would cover almost 3,000 acres across two land parcels in East Yorkshire – a northern site near Lockington and Hutton Cranswick and a southern site near Walkington, Skidby, and Little Weighton.
The project is being brought forward jointly by Perigus Energy and PS Renewables and will involve solar photovoltaic panels and battery energy storage systems. It could eventually delivery 500 megawatts of clean, green energy.
Because of the scale of the scheme, the Clean Air Solar Farm is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means it requires a Development Consent Order from central government. If the government give it the go-ahead, then the project could be operational by 2033.
However, local people are not being given enough of an opportunity to share their views, according to Cllr Phil Redshaw (Liberal Democrat – Cottingham North ward). He has condemned the consultation strategy for the Clean Air Solar Farm and has accused energy bosses of treating local engagement as a mere ‘tick-box’ exercise.
His complaint focuses on the developer’s decision to schedule its nearest public event in Little Weighton, leaving nearby Cottingham and Skidby without dedicated sessions in their own community venues.
Cllr Redshaw states he is ‘frankly outraged’ by the arrangement, pointing out that he believes up to 700 shipping-container-sized battery storage units could be placed north of Cottingham directly above the chalk aquifer supplying drinking water to the wider region. “This is no minor development,” he states.
Warning that such a huge facility raises urgent questions regarding fire safety, flood risks, and water contamination, Cllr Redshaw argues that online webinars and limited local bus services to surrounding villages are no substitute for accessible community meetings.
“Developers say local bus connections justify the meeting location, but that ignores the limited services and the practical difficulties people face getting there and home again,” he said. “Online webinars and consultation documents are not an adequate substitute for accessible public meetings.”
Cllr Redshaw added: “Cottingham residents were not even initially sent a leaflet about the proposals. While I welcome the promise of a newsletter, the developers must explain why local people have had to fight to be properly informed. Consultation must be about genuinely listening to residents, not simply ticking a box.
“When a project of this scale could have such significant implications for our communities, the developers should be making every effort to hear people’s concerns, not creating barriers to participation.”
Developers argue their community engagement is ‘meaningful, proportionate and accessible’
The developers – Perigus Energy and PS Renewables – have defended their outreach strategy, maintaining that their engagement plans are ‘meaningful, proportionate and accessible’ following initial discussions with parish councils and local stakeholders.
A spokesperson for Clean Air Solar Farm confirmed that four in-person events are scheduled across Beverley, Lockington, Walkington, and Little Weighton, with dates and times arranged to give residents varied opportunities to attend.
“Our proposals include plans for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the southern land parcel of Clean Air Solar Farm. The design of the BESS is still being developed and therefore it is not possible to confirm the number of units, location or size of this infrastructure at this early stage of the planning process,” the spokesperson added.
“Further details, including options for the location of the BESS and other infrastructure, will be shared during our consultation, which will be informed by extensive environmental and technical surveys. Additionally, we will be bringing technical BESS experts to our in-person events and will host a webinar on BESS to answer questions.”
The project team also explained they have expanded their postal distribution list to include further households across Beverley and Cottingham, while establishing information drop points in Cottingham and Skidby libraries and community hubs.
In addition, the Clean Air Solar Farm team has established an annual pre-application community benefit fund, managed by local charity Two Ridings. If the project receives a successful planning consent, then a longer-term community benefit fund will be established which will last the lifespan of the project.
More information on local jobs, skills development and biodiversity will be shared during community consultation, the spokesperson added.
East Yorkshire will play a big role in the government’s net zero plans
The UK government has grand plans to generate more than 95% of the UK’s electricity from clean sources by 2030, and to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. It is believed renewable energy initiatives – like East Yorkshire’s Clean Air Solar Farm – will play a vital role in supporting the government’s ambition.
But according to Cllr Redshaw, further transparency for East Yorkshire householders is needed. “Residents deserve answers, transparency and a proper opportunity to challenge these proposals. Clean Air must stop defending its arrangements and start listening to the communities affected.”
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East Yorkshire’s current largest solar farm is Scurf Dyke Solar Farm, east of Hutton Cranswick near Driffield. It currently generates enough power for roughly 20,000 homes each year. The site offers dual-use agricultural grazing around the panels, and its development contributed to local bicycle lane networks.
Graham Stuart, the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, recently attended the Solar Action Summit in Westminster. The event brought together residents from across the country to share the impact of massive solar farms on communities.
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