Island Green Power has launched a second phase of consultation on its plans for Light Valley
Solar – a utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project proposed on land
near Selby, North Yorkshire.
Starting today, on 26th June 2025, the consultation will run for six weeks before closing on 7th
August 2025. During this time, the developer is inviting feedback from communities, as well as
local and technical stakeholders, for their views on the updated proposals.
This second phase of consultation follows an initial consultation held in October to December
last year. During the first phase, Island Green Power presented its early-stage proposals, and
received feedback, which has been considered by the project team.
Annette Lardeur, Project Development Manager at Island Green Power explained:
“Our updated proposals include a refined cable corridor, further information on buffers and
setbacks and plans for new planting and habitat creation.
“We are grateful for everyone that engaged with our non-statutory consultation and shared their
views, which has in turn shaped the project so far. Projects like Light Valley are vital as the UK
transitions away from fossil fuels and towards green renewable energy, aligning with national and
local clean energy commitment.
“I would invite anyone who wants to view and comment on our updated proposals to come along
to a consultation event and speak with the team.”
The project is holding a series of information events during the consultation period:
- Friday 4th July (3pm – 7pm) – Eversley Park Centre, LS25 6BA
- Tuesday 8th July (3pm – 7pm) – Escrick & Deighton Club, YO19 6LQ
- Wednesday 9th July (3pm – 7pm) – Riccall Village Institute, YO19 6QJ
- Friday 11th July (1pm – 5pm) – Haddlesey Church Community Hall, YO8 8QF
- Tuesday 15th July (3pm – 7pm) – Hambleton Village Hall, YO8 9HS
- Saturday 19th July (11am – 3pm) – Monk Fryston & Hillam Community Centre, LS25 5EA
- Monday 21st July (6pm – 7.30pm) – Community Webinar via Zoom (register here)
Full details of the updated proposals being consulted on, including maps, plans, as well as the
details of the consultation events taking place can be found on the Project’s website at:
www.lightvalleysolar.co.uk
Anyone wishing to receive updated about the Project and the consultation is encouraged to
register their details on the Project website.
For further information please contact the Community Relations Team on: - Freephone: 0808 281 4784
- Email: info@lightvalleysolar.co.uk
- Post: FREEPOST Light Valley Solar
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Notes to editors:
For more information contact the Community Relations Team on: - Freephone: 0808 281 4784 (lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank
holidays. A voicemail service will operate outside these hours) - Email: info@lightvalleysolar.co.uk
About Light Valley Solar
Light Valley Solar is a proposed solar project located on land between Escrick, Monk Fryston,
Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford. The project consists of seven solar
development sites totalling approximately 1,020 hectares (2,500 acres) of land, as well as
additional land being used for underground cabling to connect the sites to the National Grid Monk
Fryston substation.
As part of this consultation, we are hosting a series of in-person and online events. Anyone with
an interest in the Project is encouraged to attend to learn more about the Project and how they
can take part.
The Scheme involves the installation of solar panels and an on-site battery energy storage facility,
with an underground cable connection into the national grid via Monk Fryston substation.
If consented, Light Valley Solar could deliver up to 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy.
This is equivalent to providing enough clean, affordable electricity to power approximately
115,000 homes annually.
Because the amount of electricity Light Valley Solar could generate exceeds 50MW, the Scheme
is classified as a nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
The development consenting regime for an NSIP comes under the Planning Act 2008. This means
that Island Green Power must apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent
Order (DCO) to build, operate and decommission Light Valley Solar.
In the case of energy-related NSIPs, the Planning Inspectorate acts on behalf of the Secretary of
State for Energy and Net Zero. The Planning Inspectorate will carry out an examination of the
application and then make a final recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether to grant
consent. The Secretary of State will make the final decision on whether to grant consent for Light
Valley Solar.
Island Green Power expects the development process, including DCO submission and
examination, to span two to three years. The aim is to submit the application for development
consent to the Planning Inspectorate in Q1 2026. Subject to obtaining consent, the earliest that
construction would start is 2028.
While the DCO application will not be submitted to the local planning authority, North Yorkshire
Council, City of York Council and stakeholder groups will play a key role in the planning process
and will be extensively consulted as the Project progresses.
More information about Light Valley Solar is available at: www.lightvalleysolar.co.uk
For more information about the application process for NSIP Projects on the Planning
Inspectorate website, please visit the PINS webpage linked here.
About Island Green Power
Light Valley Solar Limited is a 100 per cent subsidiary of IGP UK Projects Limited, which is in turn
a 100 per cent subsidiary of Island Green Power’s UK group holding company, Island Green Power
Group Limited. All the companies are registered in England and Wales
Over the last decade Island Green Power has successfully delivered nearly 40 projects worldwide
totalling around three gigawatts of clean, renewable energy assets. This includes 21 projects in
the UK.
This includes the West Burton Solar Project, which will generate 480 MW of clean energy, enough
to power 144,000 homes.
You can find out more about us at: www.islandgp.com
