2 more Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) permitted in Devon

Torridge District Council have permitted an Energy Storage System (ESS) at Gammaton, near Bideford. The controversial application didn’t even go to the planning committee, but was permitted by the planning officer, despite objections – including our own.

And the Planning Inspector has allowed the appeal for a BESS at Pyworthy near Holsworthy, also in Torridge.  We had objected to the proposal, as had local residents.  In his report, the Inspector states that the proposed development conflicts with the development plan as a whole –

14. ‘The proposed development would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape. The resulting policy conflict I have identified policy leads me to conclude that the proposed development, despite its accordance with various other local plan policies, conflicts with the development plan as a whole’.  

But then goes onto allow the appeal, concluding:

15. ‘However, as set out in the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), electricity storage can enable us to use energy more flexibly and de-carbonise our energy system cost-effectively by, for example, helping balance the system at lower cost and maximising the usable output from intermittent low carbon generation. By allowing excess electricity from the grid to be stored at times of low demand/high generation and exported at times of higher demand/system stress, the proposed development would do this. The available evidence indicates that, by providing a
flexible back-up to the grid, it would also contribute to maintaining the reliability and security of the local and national power supply and thus reduce the risks of power interruptions; reduce electricity system costs; support the balance of energy production and consumption; maximise the amount of energy which can be utilised from renewable sources; and help to offset the fluctuations of renewable energy sources. In turn, the appeal proposal would support the further use and supply of renewable and low-carbon energy generation. This is consistent with the Framework’s provisions on planning for climate change and also critical to meeting local and national targets on renewable energy and carbon emissions, and ultimately achieving net zero.

16. With a stated power capacity of just under 50 megawatts, the proposed battery energy storage facility would therefore make a small but important contribution to moving towards a low carbon economy and ensuring local and national energy security and supply. With the existing overhead line having capacity to accommodate the development proposed and a grid connection offer being in place, these benefits could also be delivered relatively quickly. In addition, the proposed development would provide substantial biodiversity net gain and some construction employment opportunities. The appeal proposal would therefore provide substantial economic, social and environmental benefits.

17. Planning law requires that applications for planning permission be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this instance, the above material considerations outweigh the localised and limited harm that would arise and the resulting conflict with the development plan. Consequently, material considerations indicate that the proposed development should be permitted notwithstanding the conflict with the development plan as a whole.’

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