Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington residents launch organised campaign against large-scale solar farm plans as Graham vows to take concerns to Parliament
Residents opposing plans for a major solar farm development near Walkington have begun organising a formal community campaign following a public meeting hosted by Graham Stuart on Thursday evening.
Around 30 residents attended the meeting at the Ferguson Fawcett pub to discuss proposals for a solar development covering around 2,500 acres of land near Walkington and Beverley.
The proposed scheme, which would ultimately be decided by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, would include large areas of Grade 2 and 3a agricultural land and could remain in place for decades.
Residents have established the Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington Action Group to coordinate the community response ahead of the developer consultation planned for June.
Concerns raised at the meeting included:
the industrialisation of productive countryside
the long-term impact on villages and landscape over the next 30 to 40 years
pressure on local roads and infrastructure during construction
the cumulative impact of large-scale energy developments around Beverley
the effect on farming tenants, footpaths and heritage sites
whether local communities would have any meaningful influence over the final decision
Residents repeatedly stressed that supporting affordable and secure energy did not mean accepting every development in every location.
A survey launched by Graham shortly before the meeting has already received responses from more than 45 local residents. More than 90 per cent are opposed to the proposal, with concerns centring on the loss of agricultural land, the impact on the countryside, and the scale of development relative to the villages affected.
Another resident told Graham: “Walkington is a rural village, not an industrial site. This would completely change the feel of the area.”
One survey response said: “We all want affordable energy, but this is the wrong place. There has to be some balance and some common sense.”
Another resident wrote: “It feels like decisions affecting villages like ours are just being imposed from London without understanding what makes this area special.”
Residents said decisions affecting the area for the next 30 to 40 years should not be rushed through without proper scrutiny and meaningful consultation with local communities.
The first public meeting of the Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington Action Group will take place at 7.15pm on Monday 18 May at Walkington Village Hall.
Residents are also being encouraged to join the group’s Facebook page for updates and campaign information:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/967812605794840/
As a former Energy Minister, Graham said Britain needed cheaper and more secure energy, but argued that developments had to be appropriate, proportionate, and shaped by local communities rather than simply imposed from Westminster.
Local resident Rebecca Webb, who has joined the campaign group, said: “This land has been farmed for generations and is an important part of the local heritage.
"I walk the paths in these fields with my children and it’s important to me that they grow up with that connection to nature rather than seeing it replaced by thousands of acres of industrial development.
"Once land like this is lost to development it cannot be restored to its original state and many of it’s qualities are permanently lost”.
David Hume, one of the organisers of the Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington Action Group, said: “We want to represent the views of residents across the three communities in a coherent, structured and determined manner so the developers fully understand the depth of feeling locally.
“We will approach this in a dispassionate, logical and intelligent way at all times.
“I was very grateful Graham came to the meeting. His support and endorsement made a real difference and people appreciated hearing directly from him about how these decisions are made and how local voices can still shape the outcome.”
Graham said: “This was a really valuable discussion. People care deeply about this area and they want their voices heard before decisions are taken that could permanently change the countryside around them.
“Britain needs affordable and secure energy. But I do not believe the answer is the industrialisation of productive countryside around villages like Walkington, Little Weighton and Skidby.
“I have serious concerns about the scale and location of this proposal, particularly given the quality of the farmland involved and the impact it could have on the surrounding countryside and heritage of the area.
“After the meeting I spent time knocking on doors in Walkington and the message was very consistent. People want proper consultation and they want decision-makers to understand what this would mean for local communities.
“We need a balanced approach to energy policy. That means cheaper and more secure energy, including making better use of domestic oil and gas from the North Sea, while protecting productive farmland and rural communities.
“Ultimately this decision will be taken by Ed Miliband. My job is to make sure local residents are properly heard and that these communities have the strongest possible voice throughout the process.
“I would encourage people to let me know what they think at grahamstuart.com/walkington.”
