Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Installation of Battery Storage System with associated infrastructure, earthworks, landscaping and access.

RESOLVED: That application 24/02713/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio Recording – 3 hours 5 minutes 5 seconds

The Principal Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 24/02713/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·          Councillor Claire Billing

·          Councillor Tom Tyson

·          Councillor Louise Peace

In response to questions, the Principal Planning Officer advised that:

·       The distance between the two units was three metres.

·       All visual impact was assessed by play services and they were happy with the level of impact.

·       New and native species would be added to hedgerows to protect natural viewpoint.

·       The CPRE objection on the portal was not in the report due to it no longer being applicable.

·       The Environmental Health assessment had raised no objections in relation to noise.

The Chair invited Mr Ryan Macindoe, as the representative of the applicant, to speak in support of this application. Mr Macindoe thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       As Head of Development at Balance Power he was committed to renewable and low carbon energy across the UK.

·       Cleaner more sustainable electricity often varied based on environmental conditions such as wind speed. By creating an area for storing electricity such as this, it would ensure that renewable energy supply could be provided to meet demands at times when environmental conditions were not favourable. 

·       The site was ideal for such infrastructure as it exceeded the requirements for such a project.

·       The batteries would be connected via underground cables.

·       The site was not within the green belt, is away from housing and would create no visual or landscape impact.

·       To maintain no significant harm, the hedge rows on the road would be filled in to increase local biodiversity and reduce visual impact.

·       The plan was temporary and after 40 years the site would be returned to natural land.

The following Members asked questions:

·          Councillor Dave Winstanley

·          Councillor Claire Billing

·          Councillor Ruth Brown

·          Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, the Mr Macindoe advised that:

·       In choosing the corner of the field for the batteries the landowner did an analysis, and found that the service station had a hotel, in order to avoid disturbing guests a corner furthest away from the services. The corner also had existing underground cabling which makes connection easier.

·       Cabling would be completed by Distribution Network Operator.

·       In the event of a fire all electronics would be shut down, at the advice of the fire service a turning circle was added to the north platform to allow the fire service to manoeuvre in the event of smoke plumes.

·       The energy was indirectly linked to renewable energy as this would be exported to the grid, the battery farm would then import from the grid and export when demand was high.

·       The noise assessment was worst case scenario and with the batteries running at the highest-level noise could be heard up to 1km away.

Councillor Dave Winstanley proposed to grant permission. This was seconded by Councillor Val Bryant.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10