AMBITIOUS plans to deliver a carbon-negative energy system in North Yorkshire has received a £768,876 boost.

The work is one of 477 projects to benefit from £200m from the Government’s Community Renewal Fund, designed to boost local economies and support the UK’s path to net zero carbon emissions.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove announced the funding allocation, along with £469,765 for a partnership led by University of York academics to bring York’s heritage to life.

Another project to receive support was Archaeology on Prescription, a venture by York Archaeological Trust to improve people’s skills, health and well-being which was awarded £122,123.

North Yorkshire County Council submitted bids for funding to help people into work, boost productivity and grow local economies, and secured £768,876.

The project will produce three plans aimed at decarbonising the county’s energy system. It will also deliver feasibility studies exploring electric vehicle potential, plant-based renewable energy and how to tackle hard-to-decarbonise buildings.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, executive member for business growth and economic development, said: “We are delighted that such an innovative project has been chosen by the Government as it demonstrates its intentions to level up the country, particularly as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Decarbonisation projects are vital if we want to achieve our net zero targets so we are looking forward to seeing the countywide research programme develop for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is delivering the project.

Chair Helen Simpson said: “In the light of COP26, we’re delighted that this project has been funded.

"York and North Yorkshire has the potential to cut carbon emissions beyond net zero and to thrive economically as England’s first carbon-negative region.

“This work will help our region develop energy systems that are the most efficient they can be and that bring the most benefit to local communities in the long term.”

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove said: "We are levelling up in every corner of the United Kingdom, backing locally-led projects that will make a real difference to communities and help to deliver our net zero commitments.

"There is incredible talent spread right across our great country and this investment will unlock the opportunities to match."

* York & North Yorkshire LEP is holding its annual conference, around the theme 'reshaping our economy', on November 26, from 10 to 12pm.

The event will be hosted as a live stream by chair Helen Simpson and chief executive, James Farrar, asking how we can seek to seize the opportunity of economic transformation that before us and reshape our economy for the future.

A diverse range of businesses and organisations across the region will be invited to share their stories of reshaping, resilience and growth over the last 18 months of economic crisis.