PLANS to build an “enormous” battery energy storage system between Thornbury and Yate have been given the green light despite opposition.

The proposed battery storage facility has been approved for 6.4 acres of agricultural land located off Latteridge Lane near Latteridge and Iron Acton.

A planning application was submitted by energy project developer Balance Power Projects Ltd to South Gloucestershire Council in August 2023.

The scheme includes installing 19 battery units with 19 transformer units in order to store and export energy to the electricity grid.

According to the application, the batteries would resemble large shipping containers, measuring three metres tall, 19 metres long, and 2.7 metres wide.

Other proposals include installing two auxiliary transformers, two control rooms, one 132/33kV power transformer, a private substation, one storage room, plus installing fencing  CCTV, an access track and parking.

In addition, each battery unit would have its own air conditioning system plus fire detection and suppression systems.

The applicant says after 40 years the site would be decommissioned, and the land restored back to its original agricultural use.

It is understood that works to build the battery development will take 18 months to complete.

However, the application received four objections from members of the public who described the proposed scheme as “enormous”, “unfathomable” and “unacceptable”.

Residents feared it could harm wildlife, increase traffic, exacerbate flooding issues, lead to a loss of arable land plus concerns over fire and explosions on the site and light pollution. 

Many also pointed out the nearby area already has many solar panel sites and battery storage sites.

Despite this, the application was officially approved by SGC on Friday, August 16.

A planning document reads: “From the evidence provided it is apparent that the growth in use of renewable energy generation to replace conventional power stations has led to there
being more ‘stress events’ for the National Grid to address. 

“It is clear that there is great importance in the capacity for meeting demand, to ensure against future blackouts for instance.

“As such, the proposed development could be regarded as being a form of associated infrastructure to support the increased use of renewable and low carbon energy. 

“It is considered that the proposed development would have a significant public benefit, both in supporting the increased deployment of renewable energy and also providing energy security throughout this transitional period.”

“There would also be some limited benefit in terms of providing employment during the construction phase although while operational such developments require little maintenance/servicing.

“Although not a public benefit it is worth noting that this form of farm diversification can help offset the financial challenges facing the farming industry, providing an additional income for a farmer to assist the viability of ongoing operations.

“It is therefore considered that the significant public benefits constitute very special circumstances that outweigh the harm caused by inappropriate development and the other identified harms.”

You can view the application quoting P23/02405/F or see here tinyurl.com/2pj9avt5