Sunny outlook for West Yorkshire as plans submitted for new Leeds solar energy park

Plans have been put forward for a new renewable energy scheme to the south east of Leeds.

Renewable energy specialist Banks Renewables has submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council for the Barnsdale solar energy park development.

The scheme would include solar panels covering an area of around 50 hectares of south-facing land between Kippax and Allerton Bywater, around three miles from the Hook Moor wind farm. It would also link directly into the Ledston Primary electricity sub-station which is situated along Barnsdale Road, to the south east of the site.

Barnsdale solar energy park is expected to provide power to up to 12,000 family homes and displace over 9,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network each year by doing so.

Lewis Stokes, community relations manager at The Banks Group, explained: “We’re really pleased with the positive welcome that the Barnsdale solar project has had from local residents and stakeholders, and are excited to now be reaching this landmark point in its development.

“The UK has set itself ambitious targets for renewable energy generation and we’ve long been part of the drive towards generating as much of the energy that we all use in our homes, schools and workplaces as possible from renewable means.

“The Barnsdale solar energy park will further extend the contribution that we can make and has been located in the most appropriate area for a scheme of this type.

He added: “We hope that Leeds City Council’s planning committee will recognise the many environmental, ecological and community benefits that it will bring to the area and will support the vision we’ve developed for this important project.”