Latest news with #Enviromena
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tunstall solar farm would have ‘no unacceptable environmental impacts'
A proposed solar farm on farmland in North Yorkshire would have no unacceptable environmental impacts and would deliver benefits including habitat creation and biodiversity net-gains, the developers behind the scheme say. A planning application has been submitted for a 23.5MW solar farm on land at East Appleton Farm, south of Tunstall, near Catterick Garrison. Applicants, Enviromena, say the scheme would produce enough renewable energy to power more than 11,000 homes a year. But local residents have questioned the benefits of the scheme and raised concerns about the environmental impact on their community. Supporting documents submitted with the application say the scheme would provide a 'clean, renewable, and sustainable form of electricity' and would make a valuable contribution towards national targets for carbon emission reduction and domestic energy security. The documents add: 'In addition to the significant benefits associated with the generation of renewable energy and carbon reduction ambitions, the proposed development would deliver further benefits in supporting job creation, economic development and significant biodiversity gains through habitat creation and ecological enhancements, which further weigh in favour of granting permission.' The applicants say the solar farm would be temporary with all infrastructure removed and land reinstated after 40 years. The solar panels would be 2.65m above ground level and angled at a tilt to optimise daylight absorption. Two substations would be built on the site, which would be surrounded by 1.9m high deer fencing and pole-mounted CCTV cameras. Trees and hedgerows within the site and adjacent to the site boundary would be safeguarded and retained, while existing public rights of way would also be kept, the supporting documents say. Construction access would be obtained via the existing field entrance off Catterick Lane, to the north of the site. Construction is estimated to take around 36 weeks. The planning application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council. Several objections have been submitted so far. One local resident said: 'The area to be developed will have a significant and detrimental impact on a wide variety of rare and declining flora and fauna. 'Curlew and oyster catchers have bred and raised broods on this land over the last spring and summer.' Another member of the public pointed out that another solar farm already exists near Tunstall. They added: 'Loss of agricultural value is significant and the reports submitted are not reflective of what has actually been grown historically.' A Facebook group, Tunstall Solar Farm – A Deeper Look, has been launched by villagers to discuss the scheme.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Proposals for solar farm near Catterick Garrison
Plans have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for a new solar farm on farmland near Catterick development would have no unacceptable environmental impacts and would deliver "benefits in supporting job creation, economic development and significant biodiversity gains", according to applicants 23.5MW solar farm on land at East Appleton Farm, south of Tunstall, would produce energy for 11,000 homes per year, they residents, however, raised concerns about the environmental impact on their community. One said: "The area to be developed will have a significant and detrimental impact on a wide variety of rare and declining flora and fauna."Curlew and oyster catchers have bred and raised broods on this land over the last spring and summer."According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, another member of the public said a solar farm already existed near Tunstall. Planning documents stated that habitats would be created as part of the development, with other "ecological enhancements" also and hedgerows adjacent to the site would be protected, while existing rights of way would be kept, they proposed solar panels would be more than eight feet (2.65m) from the ground and angled at a tilt, they electrical substations would also be created, surrounded by 6ft (1.9m) fencing and CCTV documents added that the solar farm would be temporary, with all infrastructure removed after 40 years, and the land was estimated to take around 36 weeks, they said.A number of objections have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bedale solar farm planned in 'significant' historical area
Critics of a proposed solar farm say the development would sit within an "extremely significant" historic landscape, with evidence of prehistoric, Roman and medieval firm Enviromena has submitted plans to build on farm land between Bedale and Exelby in North residents and consultees have questioned the suitability of the land, urging North Yorkshire Council to ensure an environmental impact report is drawn up.A spokesperson for Historic England said the location of the proposed site, close to the boundary of the Grade II registered park and gardens at Thorp Perrow, was in an area that demanded "a high level of archaeological assessment." "In very simple terms, the application site sits within a landscape shaped by human activity over a considerable time-depth," they said."This proposal would involve structures which could impact upon elements which contribute to the significance and enjoyment of landscapes of historic or cultural importance for many years."The submission has prompted more than 80 objections, according to the Local Democracy Reporting has filed a request to the council for a ruling on whether an environmental impact assessment would be needed with any future planning says the development would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and could play an important role in reducing the decline in critics claim it could have an adverse environmental impact instead, with one member of the public citing its "size, location, and potential cumulative and irreversible impacts on agricultural land".North Yorkshire Local Access Forum said it viewed the application with "grave concern" because the access would be along a narrow public lane frequently used by those without a car, which it said was unsuitable for large construction added: "Two footpaths are running through the site and the public pleasure of these when surrounded by solar panels would be seriously diminished."We realise that the application is to determine the need for a screening assessment at this stage, but would suggest that as the site would not be able to meet the constraints of existing highway law, the application does not proceed further."Two submissions supporting the scheme, which highlight the need for clean energy sources, have also been filed with the council. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Elwick solar farm and energy store approved
Plans for a new solar farm and battery energy storage system have been for 193 acres (78 hectares) of agricultural land at High Barns Farm, either side of Coal Lane near Elwick village, have been given the green light by Hartlepool Borough applicant Enviromena Project Management UK claimed the farm would also create 375 scheme, to last for a temporary period of 40 years, went before the the council's planning committee where the application was unanimously approved. The development aims to provide "a reliable source of clean, renewable energy to the National Grid".It will have a capacity of 49.9MW, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Four objections were lodged by residents, raising concerns around the scale of the project and the impact on the Adams of Environmena Project Management UK said at the meeting the firm had worked closely with Elwick Parish Council and other local groups on the scheme which will have "substantive community benefits".At the end of the 40-year period "all infrastructure will be removed and the land reinstated" to its current condition.A report from council planning officers ruled the solar farm's "impact is considered not to be significantly detrimental to landscape quality or enjoyment of the rural area". Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Sami Khoreibi: UAE's net zero vision is an economic opportunity, not a burden
23 May 2025 00:18 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Sami Khoreibi, former CEO of Enviromena Power Systems, is now a visionary investor in sustainability and a strategic adviser to to Aletihad, he reflected on the UAE's remarkable clean energy journey from his time spent at clean energy company, Masdar.'The reason I moved to the UAE from Canada in 2007 was because of the potential of renewable energy and sustainability,' he said.'What we have seen in the past 18 years is nothing short of incredible. Even the most optimistic predictions have been surpassed.'Khoreibi attributes this success to two main factors - 'very strong leadership and amazing advancements in technology and cost', adding that the UAE has become not only a domestic champion of clean energy but also a global investor in the first company, Enviromena, played a key role in this transition before being acquired in then, he has witnessed even greater momentum, citing major solar projects like the Al Dhafra Solar PV project and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park as proof of the country's scale and growth is enabled by regulations and programmes that promote utility-scale and commercial solar, he also sees room for more inclusive energy solutions.'Most roofs cannot generate enough to cover household energy needs, especially with air conditioning loads. That is why I believe offsite net metering would be a game-changer,' he believes the UAE offers an ideal environment for launching green startups.'Now, whether you are in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Sharjah, there are fantastic public-private initiatives that support entrepreneurs.'Since leaving Enviromena, he has invested in nearly 20 early-stage sustainability startups, among them The Waste Lab (food waste management), Amp (energy optimisation), and Planno (AI-driven platform that maps solar potential on rooftops globally).'We are in a region full of talent, innovation and large markets,' he said, stressing the value of regional latest venture, Wisewell, focuses on high-tech, data-driven drinking water purification, reducing plastic waste and rethinking how water is delivered across the sees youth as essential to the sustainability movement.'There is nothing more valuable than youth engagement. They have grown up with sustainability embedded in their thinking; it is natural for them to expect industries and governments to protect the environment.'He pointed out that many green technologies, like electric vehicles and renewable energy, are not just environmentally beneficial but 'cheaper and better.'Reflecting on his journey, he recalled: 'In 2009, we built the first solar power plant in the Middle East for Masdar. That plant had 88,000 panels. Fast forward to today, and the Al Dhafra plant has nearly 70 million. That is just one project. We need to install 100,000 panels a day to meet regional targets, about one per second.'And he believes the opportunities for local entrepreneurs are a judge for the business reality TV show "The Final Pitch", he said the platform is more than a competition; it is a chance to mentor the next generation in many sectors like sustainability and renewable Final Pitch is a programme where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to top investors and experts, in the hope of gaining support, funding and building partnerships.'It is not just about pitching. We get to mentor, guide and truly connect with the entrepreneurs. And I learn a lot from them too.'Meanwhile, Khoreibi expressed optimism about the UAE's 2050 net zero target. 'Net zero will not be a burden. It will be one of our biggest economic drivers. We have reached the point where green solutions are better and cheaper. The UAE is wise to treat sustainability not as a cost, but as an investment. And that is exactly what will make it a global leader,' he concluded.
