Construction has begun on a £12 million industrial development in Barnsley. The development aims to support growing local businesses and attract new investment to the area.

Named Kestrel Park, the project will deliver over 77,000 sq ft of industrial and trade space across seven units ranging from 3,000 to 21,500 sq ft. It is located near Hoyland, just off Junction 36 of the M1, offering strong regional connectivity.

The site is being delivered by Carnell Management Services (CMS), with support from Barnsley Council’s Property Investment Fund and £3 million from the South Yorkshire Jessica Fund, part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. It also sits within the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Contractor BDB Design Build is leading the construction. All units are set to meet BREEAM ‘Very Good’ sustainability standards. Features will include solar panels, EV charging stations, LED lighting, cycle parking, and fully fitted offices.

Once complete, the scheme is expected to create around 185 jobs and provide much-needed industrial space for expanding SMEs and new entrants to the Barnsley market.

Plans to expand a green skills training centre in North East Lincolnshire have been approved. The development will enhance the region’s ability to meet the UK’s net-zero infrastructure needs. Located at the Catch site in Stallingborough, the expansion will introduce an industrial decarbonisation centre alongside a renewable energy training facility.

The two new facilities, expected to open by 2026, are designed to address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the green energy sector. The renewable energy centre will feature classrooms and specialised workshops for practical training, while the decarbonisation centre will provide lecture theatres and office spaces to support educational activities.

The Catch organisation began its apprenticeships programme in 2021 and aims to train 1,000 apprentices annually by 2030. Key partners such as Associated British Ports and Humber Freeport support the initiative. The development is part of a broader push to equip the workforce with the skills needed to support the decarbonisation of the Humber region’s industrial base.

This project aligns with the government’s commitment to invest in green skills training, fostering new jobs in clean energy sectors across key regions, including North East Lincolnshire, Aberdeen, Cheshire, and Pembrokeshire. The new facilities are critical in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.

Two proposed battery energy storage systems in North Yorkshire have received over 1,000 objections, as developers aim to expand grid flexibility in the region.

Energy firm NatPower has submitted applications for two one-gigawatt battery storage facilities — one at South Kilvington, near Thirsk, and the other at East Rounton, located between Northallerton and Yarm. These installations are designed to store surplus electricity during off-peak periods and release it during high demand, supporting the UK’s transition to a more resilient and balanced energy grid.

The Bellmoor and Mowbray battery storage schemes projects have drawn significant criticism from local communities, parish councils, and environmental groups. Primary concerns include fire risks, visual and environmental impact, increased construction traffic, and the permanent loss of agricultural land.

Public consultation figures show the Bellmoor site attracted more than 800 objections, while the Mowbray scheme saw over 260. Local planning authorities have also received formal objections from countryside advocates, citing the proximity to the North York Moors National Park and the visual disruption such large-scale developments could cause in a rural setting.

Despite public resistance, NatPower maintains the projects as critical to national energy security and cost stability. The company has indicated it continues to consult with local stakeholders and adapt its plans based on community feedback.

North Yorkshire Council is expected to review both applications later this year. For B2B energy stakeholders, the outcome will signal how rural opposition may shape future battery storage infrastructure rollout across the UK.