We are delighted to celebrate the news that the Helios Renewable Energy Project has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The scale of the project, which will deliver up to 190MW of clean green electricity through solar arrays in North Yorkshire, close to Drax power station, meant that it was classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and therefore required an Order for Development Consent (DCO) to be granted by UK Government.
On behalf of Enso Energy, this entailed rigorous pre-application consultation, across multiple phases of statutory and non statutory consultation with local communities and stakeholders. This programme was led by Thirty4/7 Communications prior to the delivery of a robust Consultation Report to accompany the submission of the application to the Planning Inspectorate.
Planning Communications
At Thirty4/7 Communications, we’re especially proud to have supported the Helios project through its crucial communications and stakeholder consultation phases. Our work helped ensure that all voices — from local communities and land-owners to statutory consultees — were heard and properly informed. The robust consultation and transparent engagement helped build confidence and contributed to the successful consenting outcome.
This success underlines why careful consultation and clear, open communication are vital for delivering major infrastructure projects that benefit both people and the planet.
To find out more or see how we may be able to assist you with supporting your large scale infrastructure projects, get in touch with the team: [email protected]
The Project
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The project will install large-scale ground-mounted solar arrays, co-located with energy storage and associated grid infrastructure — enabling a reliable supply of renewable electricity.
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With a capacity of 190 MW, Helios will make a major contribution to the UK’s clean energy generation capacity — powering tens of thousands of homes and helping meet climate and net-zero targets.
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The scheme includes significant environmental improvements across the site, with a detailed ecological assessment (including biodiversity and habitat considerations), showing that clean energy and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand.
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With co-located energy storage, the project helps strengthen the resilience and flexibility of the national grid — a critical step for the UK’s clean-power transition.
Founding Director of Thirty4/7 Communications, Will Morgan said:
“This is really fantastic news, and a testament to the hard work put in by the whole whole project team and we’re extremely pleased for Enso Energy.
Working on this project, there was a sincere desire to secure the best possible outcome for the project from all involved, both in terms of how the scheme sat within the local landscape and interacted with communities, through to the highest quality design and technical delivery.
Working with T47 colleagues past and present, this has been a significant project and we’re proud to have been involved from project launch through to consent – its a lovely full circle moment.”
