North Yorkshire Council
Community Development Services
Strategic Planning Committee
10 February 2026
Light Valley Solar – Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project
Report of the Head of Development Management – Community Development Services
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1.0 Purpose of the Report 1.1 That the contents of this report are noted. |
2.0 Summary
2.1 This report sets out the legislative background to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and how these are dealt with by North Yorkshire Council.
2.2 The NSIP process differs from planning applications submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Applicants apply direct to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for a Development Consent Order (DCO) rather than the local planning authority and the application is determined by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of PINS. Local Planning Authorities are statutory consultees and the relevant planning authority for the discharge of the planning requirements within the DCO. The final decision however as to whether to grant permission lies with the Secretary of State.
2.3 Light Valley Solar is a solar farm with associated battery energy storage system (BESS) located near Selby, connecting to National Grid’s Monk Fryston sub-station. The project comprises seven solar development sites over a large geographical area from Escrick to Monk Fryston, covering an area of approximately 1022ha, connecting between the site and with the National Gird’s transmission network by approximately 30 km of underground cabling.
2.4 The application is expected to be submitted to PINS on 30 January 2026. Once accepted PINS have up to six months to carry out the examination of the proposals through a series of structured and topic-based hearings through both written submissions and orally at hearings. Council Officers from Development Management and other technical areas such as highways, landscape, ecology may need to attend the examination. During that time the Council is required to assess and respond to the proposal and prepare various documents for submission in accordance with a strict timetable.
2.5
As Timescales for commenting on the DCO application once it is
submitted are embedded in statute it is important that appropriate
delegation arrangements are in place to ensure the Council can meet
the deadlines set by PINS.
2.6 That authorisation is sought from the Strategic Committee to delegate authority to the Head of Development Management, to approve and submit the Local Impact Report, enter into and finalise Statement(s) of Common Ground, agree the content of the draft Development Consent Order (DCO), and make all further necessary representations on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.
3.0 Preliminary Matters
3.1 The application can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate website here: Light Valley Solar - Project information
4.0 Introduction and Background
4.1
On 1 April 2012, following the Localism Act 2011, the Planning
Inspectorate (PINS) became responsible for operating the planning
process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
These are major developments—such as power stations,
wind farms, and electricity transmission lines - that require a
Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008, as
amended by the Localism Act 2011.
4.2 Unlike applications determined under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, NSIPs are assessed primarily against the Energy National Policy Statements. The 2008 Act sets thresholds for when infrastructure becomes ‘nationally significant’; for example, solar schemes over 50MW qualify as NSIPs.
4.3 In England, PINS examines DCO applications across the energy, transport, waste, wastewater and water sectors. It conducts the examination and then makes a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State, who decides whether to grant or refuse the DCO.
5.0 The Project
5.2 A battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure is proposed on site 2. The main substation will be located on site 4 with secondary substations on other sites. Fencing and CCTV will secure the site. Environmental mitigation and enhancement areas are also proposed. A cable corridor (shown in orange on the plan) links the solar sites together and to Monk Fryston substation.
Construction Programme
5.3 Subject to grant of a DCO construction is expected to start late in 2028. It is estimated that the construction period would be approximately 24-36 months in total. During the construction phase there will be temporary access tracks and construction compounds to serve the proposed development, these will be located within the site adjacent to the site entrances.
Operation and Maintenance
5.4 The proposed development will have an anticipated lifespan of up to 60 years.
5.5 During the operational phase, the activities on-site are expected to be limited to maintenance activities, including servicing of plant and equipment and vegetation management.
Decommissioning Phase
5.6 Following cessation of energy generation and exportation at the site, the development will be removed. No timeframe has been provided for the decommissioning of the development.
6.0 The Process
6.1. The Planning Act 2008 process was introduced to streamline decision-making for major infrastructure projects. The six stages in the process are: pre-application; acceptance; pre-examination; examination; recommendation and decision; and post decision.
6.2. Pre-application - Under pre-application the applicant’s submitted a Scoping Report to PINS, its primary purpose being to support the request for a Scoping Opinion from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) under the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations. The scoping report sets out the proposed scope and methodology for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that accompanies the DCO application. It identifies which environmental topics and potential impacts should be assessed in detail, and which can be scoped out.
6.3. The Council was consulted by PINS on the Scoping Report on 11 November 2024, providing comments on 9 December 2024. PINS, on behalf of the Secretary of State, issued a Scoping Opinion on 19 December 2024. The opinion sets out the required extent and content of the Environmental Statement that is to be submitted with the DCO application. Those areas that may be examined in detail come under the following headings:
o Agricultural land and soils
o Air quality
o Biodiversity
o Greenhouse gas emissions
o Cultural heritage & Archaeology
o Electromagnetic fields
o Ground Conditions
o Human Health
o Landscape and Visual
o Major Accidents & Disasters
o Noise & Vibration
o Socioeconomics
o Traffic & Movement
o Water Resources & Flood Risk
o Cumulative & In-Combination Effects
6.4. In accordance with Regulation 6(2)(a) of the EIA Regulations the proposed development is EIA development and an Environmental Statement (ES) will be prepared by the applicant that assesses the above topics.
6.5. As part of pre-application the applicant provided a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR). The PEIR provides early-stage environmental information which is intended to support engagement and shape the project design. Council officers reviewed and responded to the PEIR in August 2025. This response is attached as Appendix A for context.
6.6. As part of pre-application phase Statutory Consultation was undertaken in Q3 2025 with a further Targeted Consultation (Minor Changes) taking place Q4 2025. Comments from the Council and interested parties have been sent to the applicant.
6.7. Acceptance - Light Valley Solar are expected to submit their application in Q1 of 2026. Following submission, PINS then have 28 days to decide whether or not to accept the application.
6.8.
Pre-examination
– Between the acceptance of the
application and the start of examination is pre-examination.
Within this stage a Planning Inspector is appointed. The NSIP
process refers to the Inspector as the Examining Authority. Public
and other stakeholders are invited to register as Interested
Parties and submit Relevant Representations to PINS; An early
procedural hearing, the Preliminary Meeting establishes the
structure scope and timetable for the examination.
6.9. Examination – The Examination stage is the formal process where the application and submitted evidence is tested. By law this must be completed within 6 months. During Examination the Local Authority has to prepare and submit a Local Impact Report, participate in preparing a Statement of Common Ground and provide written representations if requested on particular topics. On-going discussions continue to take place between the Council and the applicant during Examination. Hearings are also held during Examination, which council officers will attend.
6.10. Recommendation; Decision; Post-decision –. Following a recommendation from the Examining Authority, the Secretary of State will make a decision on the application within six months of the close of the Examination. Once the decision has been issued, the Council will be responsible for discharging any relevant planning conditions and for enforcing the requirements and provisions of the Development Consent Order (DCO).
6.11. The Council’s planning officers and technical specialists have been involved in the project since the inception meeting with the applicant. Briefings are attended jointly, and there are regular meetings between the parties. The local authority has also provided formal responses to the applicant’s Scoping Report and the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR).
6.12. The submission of the Local Impact Report, Statement(s) of Common Ground, input into the draft Development Consent Order (DCO), and any written representations will be required in accordance with deadlines set by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). Unlike applications submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA), where extensions of time may be requested, once the Examination has commenced the deadlines are fixed and cannot be extended. This results in tight timescales for officers to review information and prepare responses.
6.13. Authorisation is therefore sought for the Head of Development Management (Planning), to agree the Local Impact Report, Statement(s) of Common Ground, the content of the draft DCO, and all further necessary representations on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.
7.0 Legal Implications
7.1 North Yorkshire Council is a statutory consultee and is required to agree the requirements contained within the DCO.
7.2 The Council will have further involvement throughout the process in its role as a statutory consultee following submission of the application and during the examination period, including possible attendance at issue specific, and DCO public hearings.
8.0 Financial Implications
8.1 North Yorkshire Council intends to enter into a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with Light Valley Solar Limited. The PPA will establish an agreed project management framework and will also establish a fund against which the Council may recover costs incurred where work undertaken is above and beyond normal business activities.
9.0 Conclusion
9.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.
9.2 Authorisation is sought from the Strategic Committee to delegate authority to the Head of Development Management, to approve and submit the Local Impact Report, enter into and finalise Statement(s) of Common Ground, agree the content of the draft Development Consent Order (DCO), and make all further necessary representations on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.
Appendix A - North Yorkshire Council’s response to the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR)
Case Officer: Linda Drake