Energy developer to offer Knaresborough residents chance to see plans for second solar farm near town
A global renewable energy developer is inviting residents near Knaresborough to see its plans for another solar farm near the town.
Aura Power is to holding a series of consultation events to inform local people about the plans for a 65 MW solar farm on land at Bar Lane near Scriven, ahead of a formal planning application.
The company, whose headquarters are located in Bristol, is seeking to collate local feedback to help develop the plans and forestall any potential backlash from the public.
Last month saw councillors at North Yorkshire Council voting to defer a decision on an unrelated scheme at neighbouring Scotton by a different company called Power Boom to construct Percy Beck Solar Farm, following opposition from campaigners and parish councils.
Peter Thomas, Head of UK Development at Aura Power, said: “The site we are proposing at Bar Lane is well suited for this type of development due to its nearby connection into the electricity network and avoidance of the most productive agricultural land, with the ability to screen the solar farm almost entirely from view.
"We have deliberately retained flexibility within the land we have available for development, to incorporate local feedback before finalising our plans.
"As well as a range of ecological improvements, we will also be providing an industry leading community benefit fund of £26,000 per year.”
On Thursday, August 27, there will be an online event about the plans at 6pm.
On Wednesday, September 2, there will be an in-person exhibition at Stockwell Wellbeing Hub in Knaresborough with no registration required.
If approved, Aura Power’s plans for Bar Lane Solar Farm would be built without subsidy and would generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 24,000 homes, saving more than 16,000 tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere each year compared with electricity generated by gas.
Following the initial consultation, Aura Power will use feedback alongside technical and environmental studies to refine the proposal, before sharing an updated version later this year.
The UK Government has pledged to triple the nation’s current levels of solar capacity by 2030.