Council explores battery storage impact amid rising project proposals and public concerns about safety and location.
Carl Les says there are 22 proposals. He leads North Yorkshire Council. He wants energy and food security. He said they must work well together. Residents want more info on these projects.
Carl asked Richard Flinton to help. Richard is the council’s chief executive. They’ll have a meeting about the tech. Everyone can learn more, not just planners. They need to understand the tech’s impact.
They will check government planning changes. These changes help developers build faster.
Things like power plants get easier approval. This includes big road projects, too.
Many BESS schemes target Vale of Mowbray, and York. They are near current power grids. One plan near Thirsk has many objections.
The National Park is also worried. They fear it will ruin park views. Another plan is at East Rounton. People have filed over 200 objections there.
People worry about fires from these plants. They don’t like losing farmland. Folks think the UK stores enough energy already. They say the country isn’t the right place for more.
These batteries store green energy. They send it back to the grid later. Developers say it’s safe and proven tech. It’s like electric car batteries.
Supporters state they are vital. These plants help reach net zero by 2050. Kevin Foster wants a BESS strategy. He sent a letter to local leaders.