Over 1,000 oppose plans for battery energy storage in North Yorkshire
- NatPower has proposed two battery energy storage systems in North Yorkshire.
- Over 1,000 objections have been raised due to concerns about fire risks and loss of agricultural land.
- The local community largely opposes the projects, emphasizing lack of benefits to the area.
In North Yorkshire, England, energy company NatPower has submitted plans to build two large-scale battery energy storage systems, one near Thirsk and the other near Northallerton. This proposal has drawn significant public attention and opposition, with over 1,000 objections raised by local residents and various groups. The objections center around concerns regarding the potential fire risks associated with the installations, environmental impacts on the landscape, and the loss of valuable agricultural land. Parish councils and countryside organizations have also voiced their apprehensions regarding these developments. The first battery storage facility, called the Bellmoor scheme located at South Kilvington, received the majority of objections, with over 800 people expressing their disapproval. Additionally, the Mowbray battery storage scheme at East Rounton attracted around 260 objections. One resident emphasized the lack of benefits for the local community, suggesting that the development is profit-driven with little consideration for local needs. This has highlighted a clear disconnect between the energy company's proposal and the sentiments of the residents in the region. Countryside charity CPRE North and East Yorkshire underscored their concerns regarding the industrial-scale development potentially affecting the nearby North York Moors National Park, claiming that it would be an incongruous addition to the scenic rural setting. Rounton Parish Council has also recommended that local authorities reject the Mowbray scheme due to fears of increased traffic, noise pollution during the construction phase, and heightened fire risk. All these factors contribute to fears that the project will harm the local agriculture and environment. In response to the concerns, NatPower has indicated a commitment to engage with local communities and stakeholders throughout the planning process. The company asserts that these energy storage systems would play a vital role in creating a reliable, secure, and affordable electricity supply in England. Members of North Yorkshire Council are expected to evaluate both applications later this year, highlighting the ongoing tension between renewable energy ambitions and local community interests.