Sheffield M1 charging hub for HGVs wins permission despite objections
Aegis Energy won permission to build the hub on an industrial park on a former mining area off Cowley Way, Ecclesfield, near the M1 motorway, at a meeting yesterday
A Sheffield ‘clean energy’ charging hub for HGVs and commercial vehicles can go ahead despite concerns over ancient woodland and endangered birds.
Aegis Energy won permission to build the hub on an industrial park on a former mining area off Cowley Way, Ecclesfield, near the M1 motorway, at a meeting yesterday (April 7) of Sheffield City Council’s planning and development committee.
When complete, the two-phase development will provide EV charging bays plus sustainable bio-fuel and hydrogen refuelling for 35 HGVs and 68 light commercial vehicles, plus driver welfare facilities and a truck wash.
The company has dropped plans for a third phase, which would have added a multi-storey charging park.
The site is near the M1 and close to Smithy Wood ancient woodland, the Blackburn Valley cycle trail and Blackburn Brook.
The plans were opposed by a petition with 273 signatures, 20 individual objectors, East Ecclesfield councillor Rob Reiss, Ecclesfield Parish Council and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
Councillors agreed to the proposal following a lengthy debate, strengthening conditions related to protecting a skylark territory on the site. Skylarks are a UK red-listed endangered species.
Planning officer Sarah Hull said that council ecologists consider there would be no negative impact on ancient woodland 50m from the site. She said that lighting would be sensitive to bats that fly and forage there.
A breeding bird survey showed the site is mainly used by common birds, with the exception of the skylark, and one nesting territory had been found, she said.
“The proposal would result in the loss of habitat for that skylark but there are other sites in the area that could be used,” Ms Hull said, adding it was not considered a barrier for development.
Susan Davidson of the wildlife trust told councillors: “Although we fully support the transition away from fossil fuels, this is a case of the right infrastructure in the wrong place.
“This site is around 50m from Smithy Wood, an irreplaceable habitat. Ancient woodland is defined not by age of trees but by the continuity of the soil, undisturbed for at least 400 years.
“It cannot be re-created within any meaningful timescales.
“The ecosystem is a massive carbon store, holding up to 20 times more carbon than young woodland. That matters when we are in a climate crisis.
“If we cannot protect our most resilient habitats, then our ability to adapt to climate change is seriously weakened.
“It is fundamentally inconsistent to promote cleaner infrastructure to tackle climate change when sacrificing a natural climate regulator.”
She said that regulations are clear that development affecting ancient woodlands should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. Even the emissions from cleaner vehicles will endanger the woodland.
Ms Davidson said: “Skylarks are red listed because we have spent decades assuming they will simply move on. That assumption is one that this report relies on and it is exactly what has driven their decline.
“No meaningful mitigation is offered.”
She urged councillors to refuse the application or pause until the proper tests have been applied.
Luke Thorpe, planning manager for Aegis Energy, said: “At Aegis, our mission is to accelerate the decarbonisation of commercial transport by developing clean energy hubs across the UK.”
He said that Sheffield is well-known for its engineering, logistical and innovation industries and interest is using the facility has already come from local and regionally-based businesses.
Multi-energy hubs give commercial vehicle fleets flexibility about what works for them in decarbonising. That includes high-quality facilities for drivers, in order to support workers who keep essential services and supply chains moving.
He added: “Why is this important? Commercial transport is one of the largest carbon-emitting sectors and one of the hardest to decarbonise.
“If we do not address this now through solutions like this, we are further delaying society’s ability to manage the effects of climate change and strengthen our energy security.
“Facilities like this can remove barriers to achieving this while enabling the uptake of quieter and less polluting vehicles, ensuring cleaner operations for fleets and improve human health.”
He said the development would maintain ecological corridors and include mitigations on site and support a local habitat bank off site.
Coun Mark Whitaker said: “Ultimately we must encourage the transition to net zero because climate change will have a much bigger effect on our wildlife. We must move towards this.”
Coun Barbara Masters unsuccessfully proposed deferral because she worried that drainage solutions were not sufficient to stop flooding of Blackburn Brook downstream.
She also supported the wildlife trust’s arguments about the effect of pollution.
Coun Henry Nottage said: “The loss of habitat is regrettable, potential damage to the brook should drainage not be appropriate is regrettable, loss of views of for the surrounding environment is regrettable, but we really, really need more transitional infrastructure, so on balance I’ll be supporting this.”
Coun Garry Weatherall said that drivers need decent services but he would prefer to see overnight stay facilities and showers as well.
Committee chair Coun Mike Chaplin said that the UK is behind in its transition to net zero and HGV drivers must be able to charge their vehicles. Sheffield is a good central location for that.
He said measures to hold water back should ensure that the site would not add to flooding problems affecting Blackburn Brook.
Coun Douglas Johnson said: “The idea of battery-operated HGVs was unthinkable a few years ago. It is there now.
“It’s a really important step if we’re dealing with the climate emergency.”
He welcomed upgrades to the cycle route, which is well used locally.
Coun Richard Williams said he considered it a wasted opportunity for land that could create more employment.
Mr Thorpe said following the meeting: “We’re very pleased to have secured a resolution to grant planning permission for this multi-energy hub.
“It represents a significant step forward in our mission to decarbonise commercial transport through the delivery of a clean charging and refuelling station in Sheffield.
“The development will significantly reduce emissions from light and heavy goods vehicles across the region, supporting cleaner air, enabling local green jobs, and aiding the UK’s shift to net zero.
“The permission will be subject to conditions and legal agreement, and we will continue to collaborate with Sheffield City Council and local stakeholders to satisfy these. In particular to ensure that drainage, landscaping, lighting and ecological mitigation measures are implemented and maintained to a high standard.”