Ambitious plans to reduce environmental impact while boosting both business and leisure opportunities are gathering pace across North Yorkshire.
We are aiming to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, while working alongside York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Government to enable companies and organisations to become more environmentally aware.
Executive member for managing the environment, Cllr Greg White said: “We have been ambitious in our pursuit of becoming carbon neutral and are taking a leading role in encouraging others to follow suit.
“While we recognise that adopting new and innovative measures takes time and money to implement, we are confident people will see the long-term benefits of doing so.”>
We are currently installing solar PV panels and battery storage units at a total of 21 business units at Pickering Park and Westgate Carr Road industrial estate in Pickering, as well as at the nearby Sheriff Hutton industrial estate.
The venture has been made possible thanks to a grant of more than £230,000 from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund. The fund, allocated by the UK Government following devolution, is currently enabling decarbonisation projects throughout the region as York and North Yorkshire aims to achieve net-zero by 2034.
Alongside carbon reduction, the scheme aims to create a pipeline of net zero projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs, reduce energy costs for businesses and realise further investment for the region.
A further £124,000 of our funds have been allocated to the Pickering and Sheriff Hutton projects.
Solar PV, or photovoltaic, panels convert sunlight into electricity. Battery storage will be added to maximise the benefits of the solar PV panels.
Working in conjunction with our multi-disciplinary building design consultancy, Align Property Partners, the energy efficient technologies were installed at the locations after officers identified a gap in the local market.
There are currently no business units in Ryedale with green energy generation, so the introduction of solar PV and battery storage will not only boost local energy security but offer competitive and sustainable business space to support local economic growth.
The units at Pickering Park are currently being advertised for rent and would be suitable for a wide range of businesses.
Cllr White added: “The projects that have benefited from this approach recently are just a snapshot of the work being undertaken across North Yorkshire to improve everyone’s quality of life, while at the same time enabling those who invest in business and leisure facilities to continue to grow and prosper.”
York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith, said: “These are exactly the kinds of benefits our Net Zero Fund is intended to bring, so this is really good to see.
“In the case of Pickering Park, the technology enhances the already energy efficient units and cuts bills further for local businesses, but also serves as an example to other industrial premises looking for more sustainable sources of energy.”
In Boroughbridge, LTC Healthcare were helped by us to obtain a £13,460 Business Sustainability Grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which assisted in the installation of solar panels at its premises.
The company has been making condoms and lubricants for more than 25 years, supplying the NHS among others, and was keen to reduce their carbon footprint.
Company spokesman Craig Mawer said: “We've had LED lights put in and have an electric car charger in the car park for colleagues to use.
“We saw that there was an opportunity to apply for a grant from North Yorkshire Council, so that's what we did. It was all very straightforward and now the solar panels are in place we should start to see the benefits.”
Craig said working with the council allowed the company to move faster than it might otherwise have been able to.
“We did the maths on this and without the grant it would have delayed us by about five years because we just didn't have the cash flow to be able to do that,” he said. “We're a small business and to be able to invest that amount was not feasible. The grant enabled us to bring those plans forward and get it done now.”
In Tadcaster, decarbonisation work has been carried out at the Tadcaster Community Sports Trust building in Queens Gardens.
The facility is run by the Tadcaster Community Sports Trust, promoting amateur sport and providing facilities for the whole community. Funding totalling £49,900 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund community climate action grant programme and additional cash from the Sports Trust enabled the project to go ahead.
Work involved structural roof strengthening to enable Solar PV and battery installation, removal of existing wooden shiplap cladding, installing wall insulation and replacement cement fibre board cladding and replacing old uPVC windows with thermal efficient double glazing.
Additionally, the Trust funded the replacement of all flat and pitched roof coverings.
Tadcaster Community Sports Trust project manager, Peter McNamara said: “The wooden framed building simply wasn’t energy efficient and future long-term viability of the facility was questioned.
“By undertaking the various works our carbon footprint been dramatically improved and soaring energy costs significantly reduced.
“The project was delivered to time and budget which is testament to the support and assistance provided by various local trades and suppliers. I should also add that none of this would have been possible without grant funding assistance we gratefully received.”
Our climate change champion, Cllr David Hugill, said: “The council is determined to play its part in combating the effects of climate change.
“By working with business, residents and others, we can work towards our overall aim of achieving carbon neutrality.
“It will not be easy, but by combining our expertise and access to funding streams with businesses willing to adapt and embrace new technologies we can make it a reality.”
Businesses interested in renting the industrial premises at Pickering Park should contact the agents on 01609 797330 to arrange a viewing.
Find out more about our climate change strategy.