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Plans to build a battery energy storage system and 500MW solar farm across swathes of land near Selby could be changed following objections from people living nearby. Light Valley Solar Limited wants to build on 2,520 acres (1,020 hectares) of land between the villages of Escrick, Monk Fryston, Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford. The development has faced opposition, with conerns raised about the loss of agricultural land, the impact on the rural landscape and the potential harm to wildlife.
In response the firm has outlined nine proposed amendments, including removing solar panels from an area near homes, creating new wildlife habitats and altering construction access routes. Opponents have also questioned the scale and location of the scheme, arguing that it would industrialise large areas of countryside and affect the character of nearby villages. Among the changes to the scheme that have been proposed is the removal of solar panels from land south of Milford Lodge and Milford Lodge Cottage.
The land would instead become an area of grassland managed to provide habitat for ground-nesting birds. The developer said the change followed discussions with North Yorkshire Council about bird habitat provision, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. In addition, the removal of panels would increase the distance between the development and Milford Lodge Cottage, following representations from residents.
The developer has also been in discussions with Sherburn Aero Club and says removing panels near a proposed emergency landing strip would improve safety for aircraft making emergency landings.
Source: BBC
