Community Voices Must Be Heard on New “Clean Air” Solar Mega-Project

​The East Riding Liberal Democrats are closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the newly rebranded Clean Air Solar Farm. While we are committed to a greener future and achieving net-zero, we believe that large-scale infrastructure projects must work with our local communities, not be imposed upon them from Whitehall.

​The proposal, a 500MW evolution of the previous "Kingfisher" project, is now being spearheaded by PS Renewables and Ørsted Onshore. Spanning two massive sites near Beverley, Lockington, and Walkington, the scale of this project is undeniable,it aims to power 160,000 homes. However, its classification as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) means the final say rests with the Secretary of State in London, bypassing the local planning control of East Ridingn of Yorkshire Council (ERYC).

​"There is a Limit": Protecting Our Rural Landscape

​The Liberal Democrats have a clear national policy to generate 90% of electricity from renewables by 2030. We recognise that solar farms are a vital component of a net-zero strategy, but we firmly reject a "blanket build anywhere" approach.

​Liberal Democrat councillors have serious concerns about the cumulative impact of these developments on our countryside.

​"Huge swathes of the rural East Riding are being covered by these reflective mirrors and there is a limit. In parts of the East Riding, particularly in Beverley Rural, it is going too far. The problem is that the government wants to ignore and marginalise communities and have Ed Miliband put them wherever he chooses. Communities must be fully involved and local impacts addressed on these applications." Cllr Denis Healy, Leader Lib Dem Group on ERYC

​Defending Local Democracy Against Whitehall Overreach

​We are increasingly concerned that the government is using planning and infrastructure legislation to strip power away from local people. By designating projects like "Clean Air" as NSIPs, the government is effectively silencing the residents who will have to live with these installations for decades.

​Our position is clear: National targets must not be used as an excuse to marginalise local voices. We are calling for:

​Meaningful Consultation: This shouldn't be a "tick-box" exercise. The developers must prove they have listened to residents' concerns regarding the visual impact on our historic landscape and the preservation of our rural character.

​Protection of Prime Agricultural Land: We must balance the need for renewable energy with food security. We will be scrutinising the site boundaries to ensure our best quality farmland isn’t lost to industrial-scale glass.

​Local Benefits, Not Just Local Impacts: If the East Riding is to host one of the UK’s largest solar farms, our residents deserve to see tangible benefits, whether through community funds, improved local biodiversity, or investments in local green jobs.

"It’s certainly complex. Balancing the need for renewables with the needs of our communities" Cllr Denis Healy 

​Have Your Say: Public Information Days

​It is vital that residents attend the upcoming drop-in sessions to ask the tough questions about traffic, land use, and the long-term impact on our villages.

​You can meet the project team at:

Lockington Village Hall on Monday, 22nd June Beverley Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 23rd June.

 Walkington Village Hall on Wednesday, 24th June; 

All three in-person events run from 15:00 to 19:00.

For those unable to attend in person, a webinar will take place on Monday, 29th June, from 19:00 to 19:30.

​What's Next?

​With a planning decision not expected until 2028, there is a long road ahead. The East Riding Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for our residents, ensuring that "Clean Air" doesn't come at the cost of our local democracy or the beauty of our rural home.

​If you have concerns you’d like us to raise, please get in touch with your local Liberal Democrat team.