Battery energy storage park plans submitted

The plans include creating a publicly accessible nature recreation area

A green energy company has pledged to fund up to £40m worth of community projects if a controversial battery energy storage system (BESS) in the North Yorkshire countryside goes ahead.

NatPower has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for the site on greenbelt land near Thirsk.

If approved, the company said it would contribute up to £1m each year for 40 years to local businesses, charities and groups to develop "sustainable communities".

However, campaign group Thirsk Against Battery Storage (TABS) said local residents remained opposed to the scheme.

Known as a gigapark, the BESS would store energy from renewables, like solar and wind, and then release it when the power is needed most.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Natpower said it had altered some of its plans after feedback from the local community during a consultation.

They included relocating a proposed transmission substation away from the western edge of the site and reducing its size.

The plans also include creating a publicly accessible nature recreation area over 108 acres of the site.

The space would feature an outdoor education facility, as well as woodland and wildlife ponds.

NatPower UK managing director John Sturman said he was "particularly pleased that we have been able to respond to community feedback", but some locals remain unconvinced.

Some locals continue to voice their opposition to the plans

TABS member and South Kilvington resident Philip Martin said the application "might even be a backward step" from the firm's initial proposals.

"The substation has moved further away from South Kilvington, but it's been moved closer to Felixkirk and the [North York Moors] National Park.

"It's also now on a hill which means it's probably more visible than it ever was before."

Mr Martin said he understood the community foundation funding was only available for a very limited range of projects around energy.

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