Project information
About the project
Type of application: Generating Stations
Name of applicant: Light Valley Solar Limited
The project is a solar farm with associated battery energy storage system (BESS) located near Selby in North Yorkshire, connecting to National Grid’s Monk Fryston sub-station. A 500MW grid connection to the transmission network has been secured. The development will be designed to fulfil this connection efficiently. Due to the expected generating capacity, the project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) for which a development consent order (DCO) will be sought.
The project comprises five site panel areas, located in rural areas to the north and east of Selby, covering an area of approximately 1066ha. Within the boundaries of these sites, ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) modules accompanied with the necessary infrastructure to generate and store electricity, and environmental mitigation / biodiversity net gain areas, are proposed. The proposal also includes underground cabling, both on and off-site, to connect between the sites and to National Grid’s transmission network.
Project stage
This project is at the pre-application stage.
The application is expected to be submitted 1st Quarter 2026.
When we receive the application, we have 28 days to decide whether to accept it for examination.
If we accept the application, you will then be able to register to have your say and view all the application documents.
Pre-application
In progress
This is where the applicant starts to create their application. The applicant is required to consult with people and organisations in the area. They must also create detailed documents about the impact the project could have on the environment.
It is important to get involved at this stage to influence the application before the applicant sends it to the Planning Inspectorate.
Find out what you can do at this stage and check our detailed guides.
Acceptance
Not started
This is when the applicant sends us their application documents. We check if we can accept the application for examination. We have 28 days to make this decision.
How the acceptance stage works and what happens next.
Pre-examination
Not started
The Examining Authority is appointed and is made up of one or more inspectors. Anyone who wants to have their say needs to register at this stage.
The applicant must publish that the application has been accepted by us. They include when and how parties can register to get involved. The time period for registering is set by the applicant but must be no less than 28 days.
The pre-examination stage usually takes about 3 months.
What happens during the pre-examination stage.
Examination
Not started
The Examining Authority will ask questions about the proposed development. The applicant and anyone who has registered to have their say can get involved and submit comments at each deadline in the timetable. You can also attend hearings that may take place. This stage takes up to 6 months.
What happens at the examination stage?
Recommendation
Not started
The Examining Authority writes its recommendation report. This must be completed and sent to the relevant Secretary of State within 3 months of the end of examination stage.
Making a recommendation.
Decision
Not started
The decision stage is when the relevant Secretary of State then reviews the report and makes the final decision. They have 3 months to make a decision.
Who makes the final decision.
What happens after the decision is made
Not started
Once the Secretary of State has made a decision, challenges can be made to the High Court. All procedures must be followed when making a challenge. The High Court will decide if there are grounds for a judicial review.
This must happen within 6 weeks.
What you can do after the decision has been made.Project location
The Proposed Development includes five land parcels (Sites 1-5) which are strategically situated in the rural expanse between Monk Fryston, Hambleton and Escrick. Site 1 is the northernmost parcel, part of the Escrick Estate and is approximately 430m east of Escrick. The west parcels (Sites 2 and 3), situated to the east of Monk Fryson are characterised by arable landscaped dotted with farm structures. The central and eastern parcels (Sites 4 and 5), lie adjacent to the River Aire.
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Contact us
Telephone
If you have an interested party number, have it with you when you call.
Telephone: 0303 444 5000
Open Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm.
Closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Lightvalleysolar@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
When writing an email, quote the name of the project in the subject line.
We aim to respond within 10 working days.
Alternative formats
Call or email to ask for project documents in alternative formats such as PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.