North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to establish a large solar farm near Scarborough. The 49-hectare facility, which will span the equivalent of 70 football pitches, is set to be built in East Heslerton.
Once completed, the solar farm will have the capacity to generate up to 23.5 megawatts of power, helping to meet peak energy demand. Construction is expected to take six months, with the site set to operate for the next four decades.
The original proposal for an 89-hectare site was scaled down following consultations, with the new plan incorporating community feedback from a month-long consultation held in summer 2023.
The farm will be primarily composed of solar panels, while battery storage will be housed in shipping container-like structures. The batteries will be charged during off-peak hours and used to supply electricity to the local distribution network during peak times.
The development received no objections from key authorities, including the Environment Agency and the North York Moors National Park Authority. While some local concerns were raised about the use of agricultural land and food security, the proposal received support for its environmental benefits, including contributing to climate change mitigation.
Approval was granted with several conditions to ensure the project aligns with local regulations.
