North York Moors Authority objects to battery plant plans near Thirsk

The North York Moors National Park Authority has officially objected to a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) at South Kilvington, citing concerns that it could spoil a view described as 'the finest in England' by author James Herriot. The 173-acre Belmoor scheme by NatPower, which aims to provide clean and secure energy, has drawn over 360 public objections, with only four supporting responses. Both South Kilvington Parish Council and Thirsk Town Council have called for the application to be rejected. The park authority stated that the development would be visible from key locations, including the popular Sutton Bank viewing platform, which attracts over 146,000 visitors annually. Concerns have also been raised about the substantial visual impact of the 1,096 proposed battery units, which could resemble large industrial structures. The authority emphasized the need for a full visual impact assessment to better understand the potential implications for the landscape.