Plans approved for large battery energy storage system near Lutterworth
Plans for a large battery energy storage system (BESS) near Lutterworth has been given the green light.
Applicant Enderby Energy Ltd was given full planning permission for the development on land at Lambcote Hill Farm, Swinford Road, Walcote.
In addition, approval was given for outline plans – meaning the development was agreed in principle with further detailed plans to follow – for a transmission substation, meaning the size of the full site would span a massive 82.35 hectares.
Planning officers at Harborough District Council (HDC) approved the plans on Thursday, June 18, with a number of conditions. These included the development starting within five years of the agreement, a detailed battery safety management plan being delivered before development starts, and the development needing to be decommissioned after no more than 40 years from the date it started operating.
When plans were first put forward, Alberto Costa MP, Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, said the proposal was a “gross overdevelopment” of the area and one that risked “significantly harming” the region’s character.
In a letter of objection written to HDC’s chief executive John Richardson last September, Mr Costa said that while he was supportive of renewable energy, the BESS would need “extensive infrastructure” to connect to the National Grid, and a separate planning application for the new sub-power station, too. He said although consultation with the Walcote community had taken place, the potential “size and impact” of the substation was not made clear.
In addition, Mr Costa said fire risks were possible as battery energy storage technology was “still evolving”, with the proposal set to be one of the largest BESS sites in the UK. The battery system would also be directly connected to the National Grid and Mr Costa said this posed risks from “battery overheating” which was both a “serious environmental” concern and one of “public safety”.
A total of six people were in favour of the plans and four objections were received. One in support said: “I live with my wife in Shawell which isn’t very far from the proposed Battery Storage Site.
“I write to support this project as the site will not be visible so will not impact villagers. I love nature. I understand that there will be lots of trees planted and meadows created so there will be significant benefits to the local wildlife.
“We need to invest in clean energy for future generations. Please allow this project to proceed.”
Regarding fire risk concerns, NatPower said Greenfire Solutions, which is led by former senior officers from the UK fire and rescue service, have been appointed to advise on the plans. It said the location for the site was of “sufficient” size to deliver on their proposals and with the operational wind farm was “supported through national energy policy on efficient use of land”.