Objectors today (Wednesday, July 29) gave evidence at a public hearing held by the Planning Inspectorate, which will decide whether to allow the 500MW Light Valley Solar Scheme.

Island Green Power UK Ltd is seeking a development consent order application for a network of seven solar farms on 1,020 hectares of land between the villages of Escrick, Monk Fryston, Hambleton, Chapel Haddlesey and South Milford, between York and Selby.

A local plan for the proposed solar scheme. Image: Light Valley Solar.

A 500MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed as part of the development, as well as underground cabling to connect the sites to the national grid at Monk Fryston substation.

Hearings are taking place at The Parsonage Hotel and Spa, at Escrick, this week as the Planning Inspectorate’s examination of the plans gets underway.

The panel of three planning inspectors heard from some of the residents, parish councils and campaign groups which have raised concerns about the scheme.

Councillor Ceri Carter, from South Milford Parish Council, who also represented 13 other parish councils, told the hearing: “While we support the transition to renewable energy and understand the need for the country’s energy security, we ask the examining authority to recognise the disproportionate burden this scheme places on our communities.”

Describing the design of the scheme as “fragmented”, Cllr Carter added: “It is our opinion that this project could have been better designed to significantly reduce the amount of land sacrificed, thereby lessening the impact on communities.”

Councillor Shaun Hughes, from Monk Fryston Parish Council, said: “The primary objection for us is that it’s such a large, encompassing installation that almost every view into and out from the parish will be affected by this proposed development.

“This proposal, when combined with other consented schemes, will significantly alter the character and the landscape that surrounds our settlement such that it can no longer be regarded as a rural location.”

Resident Clare Hodgekiss said her home would be completely surrounded by the development.

She said: “At what cost to my physical and mental health is my family home surrounded by solar panels on all sides?

“Whatever I see from my house — the back, the middle, the front — I will just see solar panels and nothing else. This will have a monumental impact on the rest of my life if it goes ahead. How can surrounding a property on all sides be considered proportional, just and fair?”

Louise Billingham, from the campaign group Rooftops Not Countryside, told the panel that the scheme “would industrialise the area for generations to come”.

Louise Billingham, from Rooftops Not Countryside, speaks at the hearing.

She added: “The benefits of the development are presented at a national level, but the harms are concentrated locally: increased construction traffic on rural roads and country lanes, permanent changes to the character of our rural villages and countryside, loss of open green space and tranquillity, disruption to walking, cycling and riding routes, and the psychological impact of living beside, or within, large-scale electrical infrastructure.”

Matthew Fox, from law firm Pinsent Masons, spoke on behalf of the applicant.

He said they recognised the strength of feeling from local residents, adding: ” I want to just emphasise that there were points made around the applicant making sure they consider the human impact.

“I know views differ on this, but I wanted to emphasise that the applicant has thought to consider those aspects.”

The proposed solar scheme will provide enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 115,000 homes annually, the applicants say.

Ben Affleck landed the rare $1,000,000 prize during his celebrity guest appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire this week.  

The 53-year-old Oscar winner, whose mother Chris Anne recently passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, joined forces with Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding to take home the big winnings for charity. 

The money will go to the Hollywood actor’s Eastern Congo Initiative which he co-founded back in 2010. 

Affleck and Ding faced the final $1 million question during Wednesday’s episode of the ABC game show, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting. 

The duo were given the question which read, ‘In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?’ 

The answers included: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Tater & Tot, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti & Meatball. 

The Oscar winner joined forces with Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding to take home the big winnings for charity

Affleck and Ding decided to use the Phone-A-Friend lifeline to call Ding’s longtime trivia partner Stephen Morrison. 

Kimmel explained to the duo that they also still had the Ask-The-Host lifeline, which prompted the actor to jokingly say to ring up Ding’s pal. 

‘No. We might as well have Jimmy help,’ the Hollywood star then expressed. 

The late night talk show host playfully quipped, ‘Alright, I don’t have to give you any of my f***ing thoughts, if you don’t want.’

But Affleck replied, ‘Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events, too. Actually, you might know this.’ 

Kimmel eventually suggested that the answer could be D: Spaghetti & Meatball. 

‘I could see me adding a big bowl in Donald Trump’s hands and him slurping up the spaghetti and meatballs,’ he then joked, before adding, ‘That one sounds like it wasn’t the one to me.’

Affleck shared that the host was ‘probably the best person in the world to ask this question to.’

Affleck and Ding faced the final $1 million question during Wednesday’s episode of the ABC game show, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting

Kimmel explained to the duo that they still had Ask-The-Host lifeline, which prompted the actor to jokingly say to ring up Ding’s pal

Affleck and Ding decided to trust Kimmel’s guess and also locked in with Spaghetti & Meatball

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After a few lingering seconds, it was revealed that the pair had guessed correctly and won the $1 million prize

‘If I’m wrong, I’m so sorry,’ Kimmel said before locking in Spaghetti & Meatball as his own final answer. 

To be extra safe, Affleck and Ding decided to still call up Morrison.

‘Jimmy, you might like this friend of mine. I mean, Harvard-educated, father, we’re two years apart,’ Ding began. 

‘But we’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations together. Just like Ben and Matt.’ 

With a deadpan expression, Kimmel then joked, ‘Are you looking for trouble?’ 

Ding then quickly fired back to go along with the joke by asking, ‘Are you looking for trouble?’ which caused the live audience to laugh. 

After calling Morrison, however, he was unable to guess the correct answer. 

‘But listen, you know what? He’s smart because if you don’t know it, you don’t know it, right?’ Kimmel said of Morrison. 

The money will be donated to Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative which he co-founded with Whitney Williams in 2010; seen in May in Beverly Hills 

Affleck and Ding decided to trust Kimmel’s guess and also locked in with Spaghetti & Meatball. 

After a few lingering seconds, it was revealed that the pair had guessed correctly and won the $1 million prize. 

The pair jumped to their feet and excitedly hugged each other as confetti fell down onto the stage. 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Affleck for comment, but has yet to hear back.  

The money will be donated to Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative which he co-founded with Whitney Williams in 2010. 

The nonprofit organization helps ‘support locally led organizations to expand access to essential services, strengthen economic opportunities, and promote justice. 

‘Our work is designed to create scalable, sustainable impact across eastern Congo,’ per the official website. 

The year prior, Affleck’s close friend and collaborator Matt Damon also scored the same million-dollar prize on the game show; seen in April in San Francisco 

‘But when I told him, he seemed surprised and delighted. I think he was prepared to do it on his own. He’s very smart, that Ben Affleck,’ Kimmel said of Affleck

The year prior, Affleck’s close friend and collaborator Matt Damon also scored the same million-dollar prize on the game show. 

At the time, The Odyssey star had been paired with Ken Jennings. The winnings went to Damon’s clean-water nonprofit Water.org. 

‘I’m not sure Ben knew that he was paired with a champion when he agreed to do the show,’ Kimmel told Variety earlier this month. 

‘But when I told him, he seemed surprised and delighted. I think he was prepared to do it on his own. He’s very smart, that Ben Affleck.’

Why are they called the ‘terrible twos’, anyway?

Why two is actually a brilliant age

There might be warm weather elsewhere, but Northern Ireland looks set to have a damp Thursday

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Northern Ireland is set for a wet Thursday while other parts of the UK enjoy a high-20 degree heatwave.

Yellow rain cells have been forecast by the Met Office, which could bring 4-8mm of rain in an hour, early in the morning near Enniskillen.

It’s also likely to rain in Derry/Londonderry and Newry, weather maps show.

“A band of thicker cloud will continue to sink south on Thursday, introducing fresher conditions for all. However, outbreaks of rain, locally heavy at times, will affect northern Scotland,” forecasters said on Wednesday evening.

While rain is also forecast to hit north-east and south-west England, and Scotland, some will bask in a heatwave. South-east England will enjoy a high-20-degree heatwave, with London at 26C and Rochester, Kent, reaching 28C.

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That is likely to to worsen the drought which was declared for millions of people in England. On Wednesday, the government said half of England is now living in a drought.

Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.

“A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy.

“We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture.”

The seven drought regions include East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, West Midlands, and Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire).

Drought is not expected to come to Northern Ireland this summer, as it is not categorised in ‘prolong dry weather’ by the Environment Agency. That is the phase required before drought can be declared.

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE

Published: 00:02 BST, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 06:02 BST, 30 July 2026

David Miliband was offered the post of Education Secretary in Andy Burnham‘s reshuffle, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The brother of Ed Miliband was widely tipped to return to British politics once Mr Burnham entered No 10.

In the run-up to the new PM’s reshuffle last week, he was touted as a potential Foreign Secretary, having previously served in the role under Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2010.

The job ended up being given to his brother – and arch political rival – Ed, a major promotion from his previous position as Energy and Net Zero Secretary.

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A Labour source has now told the Daily Mail that David was offered the more junior job of Education Secretary, before it was given to Labour and Greater Manchester MP Lucy Powell – a close ally of Mr Burnham.

It is claimed that Mr Miliband declined the job because it was more junior to the role offered to his brother and because he is friends with the then-incumbent Bridget Phillipson and did not want to humiliate her. 

Mr Miliband, who has served as president of the International Rescue Committee since 2013 on a salary of more than £1 million a year, appeared in a number of photos and videos backing Ms Phillipson during the 2019 general election.

While he failed to make a return to British politics last week, it is now rumoured he is eyeing up Sir Keir Starmer’s London constituency should the ousted prime minister quit Parliament and spark a by-election.

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David Miliband (pictured on May 20, 2020) was offered the post of Education Secretary in Andy Burnham’s reshuffle

Ed Miliband’s brother was touted as a potential Foreign Secretary in the run-up of Burnham’s (pictured on July 29, 2026) reshuffle last week 

Ms Phillipson was demoted by Mr Burnham to Equalities Secretary, though she was given the additional job of Labour Party chair following outrage among Labour MPs at her reduced role.

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It is understood that Ms Powell is furious at Mr Burnham over her new role as Education Secretary, as she was publicly snubbed when he denied her the title of Deputy Prime Minister, as had been expected ahead of the reshuffle.

Ms Powell fought hard to secure Mr Burnham’s return to Parliament and bring about the eventual coup against Sir Keir. Yesterday, a source close to Ms Powell said she was ‘hurt and angry’ after the new Prime Minister declined to give her the title.

Allies of Ms Powell revealed ‘she thought she was getting Deputy Prime Minister until she walked in the [No 10] door’, adding that Mr Burnham’s team had been ‘briefing it all weekend’.

Instead, Mr Burnham has declined to use the Deputy Prime Minister position at all, with the responsibilities landing with Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Louise Haigh, who received the added title of First Secretary of State.

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Sources claimed Ms Powell lost out in an internal power battle with the new Chief Whip Anneliese Midgley, who ‘hates’ her.

A party source branded Ms Haigh and Ms Midgley ‘political thugs’ who had behaved like ‘factional Mafioso’ with a ‘punishment beating’ reshuffle.

Downing Street and David Miliband were approached for comment.

Up to 32mm of rain – more than an inch – could fall in one remote part of the country

Scotland will be soaked by heavy rain on Thursday while parts of the UK enjoy a high-20 degree heatwave.

The Met Office has forecast some red rain cells, which could bring 16-32mm of rain in an hour, to hit the Orkney Islands in the mid-afternoon.

Mainland Scotland will also see heavy rain, as orange cells, bringing 8-16mm of rain in an hour, are forecast to deluge the Highlands near Loch Glascarnoch around the same time. It will also pour down in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Fort William later in the afternoon.

Eastern Scotland will have the better weather, with Edinburgh and Dundee looking likely to stay dry. Top temperatures will be in the mid-to-high teens, at 17C in Edinburgh, 18C in Dundee, 19C in Aberdeen, and 16C in Glasgow

“A band of thicker cloud will continue to sink south on Thursday, introducing fresher conditions for all. However, outbreaks of rain, locally heavy at times, will affect northern Scotland,” forecasters said on Wednesday evening.

While rain is also forecast to hit north-east and south-west England, and Northern Ireland, Scots are predicted to see the heaviest rain in the UK.

The forecast comes a day after millions of Brits were told they are now living in a drought, as the Environment Agency declared half of England is in drought.

The seven drought regions include East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, West Midlands, and Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire).

Drought will continue in those areas on Thursday, as south-east England will enjoy a high-20-degree heatwave, with London at 26C and Rochester, Kent, reaching 28C.

The former international forward was sorely disappointed that his permanent move to Liverpool failed to materialise

Former Liverpool frontman Nicolas Anelka previously revealed he was promised a permanent transfer to the Reds from PSG before then-manager Gerard Houllier changed his mind on sanctioning the move. Liverpool are currently embroiled in yet another transfer battle with the French giants over winger Bradley Barcola, with the European champions reportedly demanding £145million for the World Cup star.

While Barcola’s future at Liverpool remains unclear, Anelka is adamant that his failed move to Anfield will haunt him forever. The ex-Arsenal forward made an unexpected loan switch from PSG to Anfield back in December 2001, netting five goals in 22 outings.

Yet Liverpool’s top brass chose not to make the Frenchman’s arrangement permanent the following summer. Instead, they opted for El Hadji Diouf, who had just caught the eye representing Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.

In hindsight, Liverpool’s choice of Diouf over Anelka has gone down as one of the most costly mistakes in the club’s recent memory.

While Diouf struggled, managing just six goals across two seasons and finding himself mired in a string of controversies, Anelka thrived at Manchester City, netting 45 goals over three seasons.

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The French forward told the Liverpool ECHO in 2020: “This is my biggest regret as well because I knew it was the perfect match. Everything was perfect! I loved everything about the club. I had an amazing relationship with the fans. I loved them and I think it was reciprocal.

“Looking back, I am proud to have worn the jersey of this legendary club and to have known this stadium and these amazing fans.”

The 47-year-old represented 12 different sides throughout his senior career. While his spell at Liverpool was the briefest, his fondness remains evident and he revealed why the transfer fell through.

“It’s simple: it didn’t happen because Gerard Houllier wanted to pay a lower salary,” he said. “It’s acceptable but you have to say it. I wanted to sign from the first minute. Of course a permanent move was discussed from the first day I joined the club.

“If you look at the first time they introduced me in the press conference, I said if I could sign now, I would, but Gerard Houllier wanted a loan because he was not sure. In the middle of March, we were in negotiations to sign.

“PSG shareholder Alain Cayzac said to me Gerard told him that Liverpool would sign me. Later on, Gerard told me face-to-face he’d sign me permanently.

“In the middle of April we reached an agreement about the salary, which had stalled things a little, but I was expecting to sign my contract when the league was over but there was no news from PSG and no news from Liverpool.

“I heard on the news that Gerard Houllier was after another player so that’s how I knew they were not going to sign me!”

Former Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson, who was serving as interim manager during Anelka’s proposed move to the club while Houllier recovered from a heart operation, claimed the club opted against signing the Frenchman after his representatives allegedly attempted to engineer a return to Arsenal.

“I heard about this Arsenal story,” Anelka said. “If it was true, why didn’t I sign for Arsenal when Liverpool announced in the press they weren’t going to sign me?”

“And even if it was true, it’s a normal situation. It’s like I’m saying I don’t wanna sign for a club because they are speaking with another striker. It makes no sense. The reality is at the time it was very easy to point the finger at me with my reputation.”

Anelka added: “I loved my time with Phil Thompson, more so than Gerard Houllier. Phil Thompson was a typical Scouser. Direct and straight. He’ll tell you what he likes and when he doesn’t like it, you would know. This is exactly what I want and what I like from people.

“I know if Phil was the manager I would have signed and stayed many years but fate chose otherwise and I had to take another path to find a big club.”

Anelka went on to represent Chelsea, Bolton and West Brom on home soil, as well as the likes of Fenerbahce and Juventus on the continent. During his spell at Chelsea, he claimed the Premier League, two FA Cups and featured in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester United in 2008.

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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By EMILY JOSHU STERNE, US ASSISTANT HEALTH EDITOR

Published: 01:01 BST, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 05:31 BST, 30 July 2026

The Streets are set to perform a headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday, August 1 when Mike Skinner will perform A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full, marking the first time the landmark 2004 record has been played live in its entirety.

The Streets to perform classic album in full in Scarborough on August 1. Pictured, frontman Mike Skinner. (Image: Cuffe & Taylor)

Released in 2004, the album debuted at No.1 in the UK charts, went multi-platinum, and produced defining singles including Dry Your Eyes, Fit But You Know It, and Blinded By The Lights.

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It established The Streets and frontman Mike Skinner as one of the most distinctive voices in British music, blending humour, heartbreak, and sharp observations of everyday life.

The Scarborough date forms part of a wider tour built around the album’s story, taking audiences on a journey through love, loss, and redemption as it was originally conceived.

Skinner said: “A Grand Don’t Come For Free was a moment in time – for me, and for everyone who grew up with it.

“I wrote it as a story from beginning to end, even studying screenwriting to shape it and without the faintest idea how people would react.

“We’ve been looking for something bold to do with the live show, and we landed here: some tracks have never been played live, others haven’t surfaced in years.

“It’s a new challenge to bring the whole journey to life on stage, but I have an incredible band and we always give everything every night.”

The show is part of a busy summer season at Scarborough Open Air Theatre, which has already welcomed a string of major names to the North Yorkshire venue.