Hundreds of local residents are engaging with plans for the proposed Clean Air Solar Farm as communities across the Beverley area prepare for a series of public information events next week.
The proposed development would cover around 2,500 acres of land around Beverley and Walkington and forms part of a wider pattern of major energy infrastructure projects being planned around the area.
Since plans first emerged, local residents have established the Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington Action Group, organised public meetings, delivered information across the area and gathered evidence on behalf of affected communities.
Graham has worked closely with the group, raising concerns in Parliament, meeting East Riding Council leaders and encouraging residents to engage fully with the consultation process.
Residents have raised concerns about the scale of the proposal, the loss of productive farmland, the impact on the countryside, construction disruption, battery storage facilities and the cumulative impact of multiple major projects being concentrated around Beverley at the same time.
More than 200 residents have already responded to Graham’s survey, with more than 90 per cent expressing opposition to the proposal. Concerns have consistently centred on the loss of productive farmland, the impact on the countryside and the cumulative effect of major energy projects around Beverley.
Last weekend, members of the Action Group spent the day speaking to residents and visitors in Beverley town centre, encouraging people to learn more about the proposals and attend the upcoming information events.
Following discussions with Graham, Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding Council, has agreed to meet representatives of the Action Group in Walkington on 26 June.
The meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss their concerns directly with the council and make the case for greater consideration of cumulative impact across the area.
Ahead of the developer consultation events, the Action Group will host a public drop-in information evening at the Ferguson Fawsitt in Walkington on Thursday 18 June from 7pm.
The event will give residents an opportunity to review the latest information released by the developer, discuss the proposals and prepare questions for the public information events taking place the following week.
Residents can attend the developer’s public information events at:
• Lockington Village Hall, Monday 22 June, 3pm to 7pm
• Beverley Memorial Hall, Tuesday 23 June, 3pm to 7pm
• Walkington Village Hall, Wednesday 24 June, 3pm to 7pm
• Online webinar, Monday 29 June, 7pm to 7.30pm
Graham said:
“One thing has become very clear from the conversations I’ve had with residents. People are not generally opposed to clean energy. Their concern is whether too many major developments are being concentrated in one area and whether the cumulative impact is being properly considered.
“National figures can often make these developments appear insignificant. But local people do not experience national averages. They experience what is happening around Beverley, Walkington, Skidby, Little Weighton, Tickton, Woodmansey, Lockington and the surrounding villages.
“Many people feel they are being asked to accept not just one project, but the combined effect of multiple major developments around Beverley. That is why the question of cumulative impact is becoming so important.
“Residents are raising serious concerns about productive farmland, construction disruption, battery storage, flooding and the long-term character of the countryside around Beverley. Those concerns deserve proper answers.
“I have been working closely with David Hume and the Action Group and have been hugely impressed by the way local people have organised themselves. They have brought communities together, informed residents and encouraged people to engage constructively with the process.
“I was particularly pleased to see members of the group speaking directly to people in Beverley town centre. Many residents simply weren’t aware of the scale of what is being proposed or how they could make their views known.
“I have also arranged for Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding Council, to meet representatives of the Action Group later this month. East Riding Council is an important consultee in this process and it is right that local residents have the opportunity to put their concerns directly to council leaders.
“The decision has not been made. These information events matter. My message to local residents is simple: attend, ask questions, challenge assumptions and make your voice heard.”
