Upper Leigh battery energy storage set to gain approval
Controversial plans for a new battery energy storage system are set to be given the green light next week. The plans received 47 public objections over the scheme which is set to store up to 20 megawatts of power, enough to power 18,000 homes, in Upper Leigh.
The applicant,Lightrock Power,states that the system will be operational for 40 years before being decommissioned and the land returned to its agricultural use. This coincides with a solar farm on the land which was granted approval at appeal.
The plans include 16 battery storage containers, four inverter units, two 228,000 litre water tanks, CCTV and 2.4m high security fencing. The development would exceed the minimum 10 per cent biodiversity targets delivering 10.36 per cent and 12.25 per cent net gain in habitat and hedgerow units.
No objections were raised by statutory consultees apart from Leigh Parish Council, who strongly opposed the scheme. They raised concerns over environmental potential contaminated water running into the nearby River Blithe and fire issues.
Gary Hales, county councillor for Uttoxeter Rural, said: “There is significant concern that BESS facilities pose serious risks to public safety, and it is believed this warrants thorough scrutiny.” Additionally, 47 residents objected to the scheme citing issues over the loss of the greenbelt, increased traffic and the impact on the character of the village.
There have also been serious concerns over a potential fire risk due to use of lithium-ion batteries. According to the British Safety Council, lithium-ion battery fires “burn hotter and faster than conventional fires.”
One resident said: “Battery fires are difficult to deal with and the safety measures proposed are not adequate. The Firewater Management Plan outlines a system that theoretically may eliminate this issue. Understand they are working on low probability, but due to the location, even a minor risk is too much of a risk to take.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has commented that the submitted information ‘meets their requirements for provision of water and access for fire appliances’ and have raised no objection to the scheme.
In their report to councillors planning officers state: “Whilst the site sits outside of the settlement boundary, it would result in supporting infrastructure for the provision of renewable energy, which is considered to be ‘infrastructure development’ where there is an overriding need for it to be located within the countryside. The land within the site area is moderate and poor quality agricultural land, which has an existing permission for development as part of the solar farm permission.”
The planning committee at East Staffordshire Borough Council is set to meet at Burton Town Hall on Tuesday 24 March to rule on the application.