en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ridge Clean Energy has submitted one of the first new onshore wind expansion proposals in England to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, planning to add six turbines at the existing Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park, with a new installed capacity of up to 25.2MW. This is one of the first such applications submitted in England since the UK government relaxed planning rules for onshore wind.
Onshore wind has been restricted in England for over a decade. Last year, the Labour government announced revisions to the planning framework, removing the previous requirement that onshore wind farms must be included in local development plans and the automatic rejection test triggered by community opposition. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced this measure in her first major speech, while pledging to double the UK's onshore wind capacity by 2030 to enhance energy independence. The government subsequently launched a strategy aimed at revitalizing the onshore wind industry. Currently, more than half of the UK's onshore wind capacity is located in Scotland. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has previously recommended that the UK needs to install 35GW of onshore wind by 2035 as a key step towards achieving net-zero emissions.
The project, located between the villages of Thornholme and Haisthorpe, is being considered by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Combined with the already approved Three Oaks site, the area will form a hybrid renewable energy complex comprising a total of 39MW of solar power, 50MWh of battery storage, and new wind turbines. The developer estimates that the expansion could meet the electricity needs of approximately 24,000 households.
The proposal includes a community benefits package, valued by Ridge Clean Energy at £126,000 per year, totaling over £5 million over its 40-year lifespan. Part of the funds will support a Local Energy Discount Scheme for nearby households and a community fund for local projects. Ridge stated that it conducted "extensive environmental assessments, technical surveys, and community consultations" before submitting the application, and held public exhibitions in Burton Agnes, Carnaby, and Rudston.
Richard Barker, Project Manager at Ridge Clean Energy, said: "Submitting the planning application is a significant milestone for the Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park expansion and demonstrates the growing opportunities for responsibly developed onshore wind projects in England. By combining wind power with the already approved Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park, we have the opportunity to create an efficient hybrid renewable energy park that can provide clean, secure, locally produced electricity for decades to come." He also noted that feedback from residents, businesses, landowners, and stakeholders during the consultation process played a crucial role in shaping the final proposal.
