Plans filed for major onshore scheme in East Yorkshire Wolds
Formal proposals have been submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a six-turbine wind farm in the East Yorkshire Wolds near Burton Agnes, a landscape closely associated with the late artist David Hockney. The application, for the Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park, marks a significant step forward for one of England’s largest onshore wind projects since an effective national moratorium was relaxed two years ago.
Developer Ridge Clean Energy says the scheme would generate enough renewable electricity to meet the annual needs of around 24,000 homes. Each machine would reach a maximum tip height of 149m (488ft), placing them well above the existing treeline and ridgelines that define the Wolds.
Landscape concerns and cultural setting
The proposal sits in countryside that has become known as ‘Hockney Country’, after the Wolds inspired many of David Hockney’s celebrated landscape works. Local residents have raised concerns about the visual effect of turbines of this scale on the open, rolling chalk hills that characterise the area. The developers argue the turbines can be accommodated without harming the wider character of the Wolds, citing technical assessments undertaken as part of the scheme.
“Our design has been prepared taking local consultation representations into account, as well as in line with the relevant planning guidance,” a spokesperson for Ridge Clean Energy said, adding that the project had been assessed for landscape and visual effects, biodiversity and operational noise.
Ridge says it has worked with communities close to the site over a period of five years. The company maintains the scheme has been “sensitively designed” following detailed studies, and that the turbines will sit alongside an already approved solar farm and battery storage to provide a reliable mix of low-carbon power.
Community fund and timeline
If approved, the developer has pledged a £5m community benefit fund over a 40-year project life. The company says this would support local priorities, although detailed allocations would be determined later in consultation with community groups and the council. Subject to planning consent, construction could start in 2028.
The proposal follows changes to national planning rules that eased restrictions on onshore wind development. In the East Riding, the Sancton Hill Wind Farm near Market Weighton was among the last onshore turbine projects to gain approval under the previous policy environment, underlining the relative rarity of new large-scale applications in recent years.
What the application includes
- Six turbines up to 149m tip height on the East Yorkshire Wolds, near Burton Agnes.
- Projected output sufficient for approximately 24,000 homes.
- A proposed £5m community benefit fund across 40 years.
- Integration with an approved solar farm and battery storage on or near the site.
- Target timeline with potential construction start in 2028, if consent is granted.
How to engage with the planning process
With the application now before East Riding of Yorkshire Council, residents, parish councils and other stakeholders will be able to review the plans and submit representations during the statutory consultation period. The council will weigh local views alongside technical evidence on visual impact, ecology, noise and planning policy before reaching a decision. Conditions may be attached to any consent to address issues such as construction traffic, habitat protection and landscape mitigation.
The Wolds’ designation as a distinctive chalk landscape is not, in itself, a bar to development, but the sensitivity of the setting around Burton Agnes is likely to feature prominently in the council’s consideration. Proponents point to the project’s contribution to energy security and decarbonisation, while opponents argue that turbines of this scale could alter the look and feel of a much-loved cultural landscape.
At-a-glance: Three Oaks Renewable Energy Park
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire Wolds |
| Number of turbines | 6 |
| Maximum tip height | 149m (488ft) |
| Power equivalent | Approx. 24,000 homes |
| Community fund | £5m over 40 years |
| Associated infrastructure | Approved solar farm and battery storage |
| Potential start on site | 2028 (subject to approval) |
Next steps
The council will publish details of how to comment on the application and the relevant deadlines. Decision-making typically includes consultation responses from statutory bodies and local groups, and an assessment against local and national planning policy. If the scheme proceeds, it would represent one of the most substantial onshore wind investments in the county since the policy shift two years ago.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor the planning file, public responses and any design changes brought forward during the determination period.
