Latest news with #WakefieldCouncil
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Battery plant on farmland gets go-ahead
Proposals to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on farmland in West Yorkshire have been approved. The application by Harmony Energy to install the facility at a six acre (2.5 hectare) site off Holmfield Lane, near Castleford, was given the go-ahead by Wakefield Council. The 36 energy storage unit BESS would take in power from renewable sources and release them to the National Grid when demand was high, the applicants said. A total of 49 residents objected to the scheme, citing concerns about traffic hazards along the lane, fire risks and the impact on local wildlife. The site was originally designated as greenbelt land under Wakefield Council's Local Plan, which was adopted in January 2024. However, it was later deemed to be "grey belt" land after the government published a revised national policy framework in December. A planning statement submitted by the energy company said the benefits brought by the scheme would outweigh any harm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It said the A1(M) and M62 motorways already dominated the openness of the greenbelt near Castleford. Harmony said this type of scheme was a "vital component in the drive towards zero carbon". "This type of technology has an important role to play across the National Grid, and at a local level in Wakefield's own target to achieve zero carbon by 2038," it stated. West Yorkshire Fire Service called for the scheme to be designed in accordance with National Fire Chiefs Council guidelines for BESS facilities. Proposals for a BESS facility less than half a mile away, off Stranglands Lane, next to the former Ferrybridge Power Station, were also approved last week. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Green light for battery energy storage system Is greenbelt at more risk from move to protect it? Wakefield Council
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Battery plant on Castleford farmland gets go-ahead
Proposals to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on farmland in West Yorkshire have been application by Harmony Energy to install the facility at a six acre (2.5 hectare) site off Holmfield Lane, near Castleford, was given the go-ahead by Wakefield 36 energy storage unit BESS would take in power from renewable sources and release them to the National Grid when demand was high, the applicants said.A total of 49 residents objected to the scheme, citing concerns about traffic hazards along the lane, fire risks and the impact on local wildlife. The site was originally designated as greenbelt land under Wakefield Council's Local Plan, which was adopted in January it was later deemed to be "grey belt" land after the government published a revised national policy framework in December. 'Important role' A planning statement submitted by the energy company said the benefits brought by the scheme would outweigh any harm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said the A1(M) and M62 motorways already dominated the openness of the greenbelt near said this type of scheme was a "vital component in the drive towards zero carbon"."This type of technology has an important role to play across the National Grid, and at a local level in Wakefield's own target to achieve zero carbon by 2038," it Yorkshire Fire Service called for the scheme to be designed in accordance with National Fire Chiefs Council guidelines for BESS for a BESS facility less than half a mile away, off Stranglands Lane, next to the former Ferrybridge Power Station, were also approved last week. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Green light for battery energy storage system
Plans to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) next to a former power station have been approved. One Plant Developments wants to install the facility on greenbelt land off Stranglands Lane, near to the former Ferrybridge C power station. BESS facilities take in power from renewable energy sources and then release it back to the National Grid when demand is high. Wakefield Council gave its backing to the plan, which received no comments of support but only one objection. One Plant Developments said it had chosen the location due to its proximity to the Ferrybridge C substation, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The firm said: "There are no residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the application site, and the proposed development is not likely to affect any significant number of people. "Given that the proposed BESS will be an unmanned facility, with access required only for occasional maintenance inspections, and there being no public access to the site, there are no particular access issues that require to be addressed." The former Ferrybridge power plant, close to the River Aire, was shut in March 2016 after more than 50 years of energy production. It was once one of the biggest power generators in Europe, with its coal-fired boilers producing enough electricity to power 2m homes. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Wakefield Council Landmark power station development plans approved
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Security beefed up at Kellingley Clubafter vandalism
Security measure have been beefed at a former social club after vandals damaged the site during ongoing redevelopment roof and children's changing facilities were damaged at the Kellingley Club in Knottingley, Wakefield Council said. The local authority condemned the incident and said police would be giving "extra attention to the site", while additional security cameras have been installed.A private security firm has also been hired to conduct patrols of the site, which is in the process of being redeveloped. New changing rooms, a bar, improved parking and better spectator seating are being created at the site as part of a £6.3m improvement scheme. The council's deputy leader Jack Hemingway, said: "It is a real shame that the actions of a few are impacting on the delivery of projects designed to benefit the whole community. "Knottingley is a wonderful community, and these senseless acts of vandalism are not representative of the people who live there. "These new security measures will help us get work back on track, to provide residents with the new, improved community facilities they asked for."I would ask those responsible for the damage to consider the wider implications of their actions. The Council doesn't have unlimited funds. Every time we spend money repairing or replacing something deliberately damaged or vandalised, it means less money for the vital services that people depend on." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Security increased at vandalism-hit bus station
Security is to be increased at a city's main bus station in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour, an MP has said. The action comes following incidents of vandalism and reports from passengers who said they felt unsafe using Wakefield Bus Station. The initiative would involve police and station security staff working in partnership to provide a visible deterrent to criminals and reassurance to station users and staff, according to Simon Lightwood MP. Lightwood, Labour MP for Wakefield and Rothwell and minister for local transport, said disabled passengers had been unable to access toilets at the site following vandalism, adding that "everybody should feel safe using Wakefield Bus Station". "It's the gateway for people to visit our city centre, spend money in our local businesses and visit local attractions," he said. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Lightwood said the government had made tackling anti-social behaviour and crime a top priority. "That includes making sure our public transport networks and transport hubs are safe for everyone to use." Insp Paul Fraser, of Wakefield central neighbourhood policing team, said the action at the bus station was part of measures being put in place to reduce crime across the city centre. Police and Wakefield Council had set up a new anti-social behaviour task force in a bid to increase visitor numbers which had involved additional city centre neighbourhood police and council enforcement officer patrols, he said. Plans were also in place to review public space protection orders so more powers could be available to tackle aggressive begging, substance misuse and anti-social gatherings. Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for planning and highways, said the increased prescence at the bus station would "help deter crime and anti-social behaviour in and around one of our major travel hubs". "That's why this new regular contact point sits alongside work our new Wakefield city anti-social behaviour task force is doing to crackdown on issues affecting people in our city centre," he said. Richard Hoare, area director for bus operator Arriva, said the firm would continue to work with police and the MP to help make the bus station a more "welcoming and safer place". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Arriva Wakefield Council West Yorkshire Police
