by Rebecca Hannant
A motion calling for greater transparency and oversight of energy developments across the East Riding has been unanimously passed by East Riding councillors.
Mid Holderness councillor Samantha Whyte brought the motion to a full council meeting on April 2, asking the authority to consider producing a map highlighting proposed and refused energy schemes across the region.
The motion, developed jointly with Dale Ward councillor Richard Meredith, also calls on the council to explore the introduction of Supplementary Planning Guidance prioritising developments on brownfield sites, lower-grade agricultural land and existing structures – while discouraging the use of high-quality farmland.
Cllr Whyte said she had brought the motion forward after hearing growing concern among Mid Holderness residents about the number and scale of new solar farm proposals.
“Solar farms are coming thick and fast, and I have noticed a lot of negative feedback during consultations, especially with the bigger ones,” she said. “You can hear that residents aren’t happy with the fact that they are taking up what they see as good farmland.
“When I investigated, I realised there was no map available to show us exactly where they are across the whole of the East Riding. I know Mid Holderness well, so I know where they are coming up or have already been built.
“We need a map to show where they have been approved, where they have been refused, and where they are planning to go. As time has gone on, we are starting to see clusters of solar farms – we’re getting villages that have been surrounded by them. I think communities are starting to worry about it now.”
Cllr Whyte said she supported renewable energy but called for a more planned and balanced approach.
“The Government is all about being green, and we need our fair share of green infrastructure,” she said. “But it’s about making sure we have a plan. We need to know where they are going.”
Concerns over the expansion of solar farms in the East Riding have led to the formation of ERASE – East Riding Against Solar Expansion – a campaign group led by Yorkshire Party representative George McManus. ERASE claims proposed developments now total 27 square miles, and say these are changing the character of rural areas and damaging the countryside and wildlife.
Cllr Whyte’s motion also calls on the council to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. She wants solar farms to be subject to similar community benefit rules as wind farms, so that host communities receive appropriate compensation and support.
She also said town and parish councils needed clearer guidance on how to access council support when negotiating community benefit schemes – and said solar developments often offered the lowest level of funding and support compared to other energy schemes.
“I would like to see East Riding Council write to the Secretary of State about ensuring that solar farms are subject to stronger community benefit guidelines,” she added.
The motion was passed unanimously by all 63 councillors present.