Development consent for a major clean‑energy scheme south of Selby is now live. Ministers signed the Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025 on 3 December and brought it into force on 29 December. The Order, published on legislation.gov.uk by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, classifies the scheme as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

Helios covers a ground‑mounted solar farm of more than 50MW (AC) with a battery energy storage system, an on‑site substation and cabling to National Grid Electricity Transmission’s Drax 132kV substation. The developer, Enso Green Holdings D Ltd, also has permission for construction compounds, internal tracks and new or improved accesses, with temporary compounds and haul roads to serve the build.

Traffic will be carefully managed. The Order allows temporary speed limits, parking restrictions and prescribed routes during construction and decommissioning, subject to consultation with police and the highway authority and four weeks’ public notice. Works include new and widened accesses off the A1041, passing places, signage and, where needed, temporary traffic lights to keep local journeys moving.

Public rights of way can be closed or diverted for reasonable periods during works, with signed alternatives and access to front doors protected. The scheme adds permissive paths and wayfinding once built. Any temporary closures require consultation with the street authority, and residents can claim compensation if rights are suspended.

Environmental conditions are tight. Before spades hit the ground, North Yorkshire Council must sign off a Construction Environmental Management Plan (covering hours, dust, noise, waste and complaints handling) and method statements for soil handling. An Operational Environmental Management Plan is required before final commissioning, and an archaeological strategy must be agreed up‑front.

Nature recovery is baked in. A Landscape and Ecological Management Plan must deliver at least a 10% biodiversity net gain using Defra’s statutory metric (July 2025). Long‑term management includes grazing, new hedgerows and habitat for ground‑nesting birds, plus ongoing monitoring of skylark plots and bird productivity across the project’s life.

Flood risk is addressed head‑on. A flood management strategy-agreed with the Environment Agency-must include a defence bund for the battery and substation compounds and a ‘level‑for‑level’ and ‘volume‑for‑volume’ compensation scheme so water storage isn’t lost elsewhere. Design is tested against a 2080s climate scenario using a site‑specific flood model.

Safety around the battery is a priority. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency must sign off a Battery Safety Management Plan covering fire water storage, bunding and emergency response. A separate glint‑and‑glare mitigation plan is required in consultation with Burn Gliding Club to protect air safety.

Neighbours get legal noise protections. Once operating, Helios must meet BS4142 limits of 40 dB LAr at night (23:00–07:00) and 50 dB LAr by day, measured outside the nearest homes. If substantiated complaints arise, the operator must investigate and install further mitigation to stay within those caps.

Local benefit has been written in. A supply chain, employment and skills plan is mandatory for each phase, with North Yorkshire Council able to steer training and procurement so northern firms and apprenticeships see the work. The developer must also notify the council within 21 working days each time a phase is finally commissioned.

Land powers are time‑limited. Compulsory acquisition and new rights can be used within five years, and only once a government‑approved guarantee or security is in place to cover compensation. Protective provisions secure access and safety for National Gas, National Grid Electricity Transmission, Northern Powergrid, Network Rail, the Environment Agency and drainage boards.

This is a long‑life asset but not forever. Decommissioning must begin no later than 40 years after the last phase of the solar array is commissioned, backed by a decommissioning plan and traffic plan. By year 15 of operation, the developer must confirm decommissioning security has been put in place with landowners.

What happens next? Enso must agree phasing, detailed design and a construction traffic plan with North Yorkshire Council before starting. Expect advance notice on any temporary road or rights‑of‑way changes, and site compounds arriving ahead of main works. For residents and local businesses, the headline is clear: clean power into Drax, tight rules on traffic and noise, and a legally binding boost for nature and skills.