The Banks Group Limited[1] is a family owned business headquartered in Durham, but working across Scotland and the North of England, established in 1976.[2] Banks develops and operates in a variety of business areas including property development,[3] renewables generation,[4] flexible energy generation and storage,[5] and mineral extraction and infrastructure services.[6] The Banks Group was founded by Harry Banks OBE DL with his brothers Graham Banks, Joe Banks and Bruce Banks.

The Banks Group Limited
FormerlyCopeprivate Limited (1988–1989)[1]
Industry
  • Mining
  • Energy
  • Property development
Founded1976
Headquarters
Websitebanksgroup.co.uk

Divisions

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Banks Property develops land in the north of England and Scotland for the building of new homes, and has obtained planning permission for the building of 10,000 new homes.[7]

Banks Renewables installs wind turbines and operates ten onshore wind farms across Northern England and Scotland, with the company's second solar endeavour, Barnsdale Solar near Leeds, receiving planning permission in July 2021.[8] As part of the company's renewables projects, they operate a Community Fund scheme which donates to local community groups and voluntary organisations near their active renewables projects.[9]

Banks Mining was a division formerly active in open-cast or surface coal mining. The division has restored and landscaped every surface mine it has worked on.[10] However, the group ceased surface coal extraction in 2021.[11]

In 2012, Banks completed construction of Northumberlandia, a huge, award-winning, land sculpture in the shape of a reclining female figure near Cramlington, Northumberland. Banks Group and the Blagdon Estate jointly financed the £2.5m cost of the work, as planning gain for Banks' adjacent open-cast Shotton Surface Mine, which was approved in 2007.[12] The mine was approved in 2007 despite 2,500 objections and previous refusal by Northumberland County Council.[13]

Banks Group won a Marketplace Innovation Award from Business in the Community for its technologies to reduce noise from mining operations.[14][citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "THE BANKS GROUP LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 14 June 1988. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  2. ^ Companies House
  3. ^ "Property :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Projects :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Bowesfield Flexible Energy Park :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Mining :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Property :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Solar energy park secures unanimous backing from Leeds City Council planners". InYourArea.co.uk. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Wind Farm Community Funds :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Restoration and Landscaping :: Banks Group". www.banksgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  11. ^ "One of England's last coalmines to close near Durham". The Guardian. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Northumberlandia: The naked lady of Cramlington". BBC News. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  13. ^ John Hill (12 August 2010). "Banks Group pushes to expand extraction contract". The Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  14. ^ "Bosses learn about life at coalface". Morpeth Herald. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
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