Fantastic news just in today. The appeal for the 80MW Battery Energy Storage System on land at Newlands Farm, Raymond’s Hill, Axminster has been dismissed. This is a very important decision and the second BESS appeal dismissal in the area in the last couple of months. It’s another victory for people power! And should give encouragement to others opposing similar BESS proposals in the countryside.
The appeal took the form of a public inquiry held in May and June. We had objected to the proposal, supporting the local residents’ action group. The appeal decision dated today, 7th October, states that the main issues were:
• Whether the site is suitable for the proposed development taking account of ground conditions and any risks arising from fire and contamination, including to public health and the natural environment, with particular regard to the water environment, and
• Whether the proposal would conserve or enhance the natural beauty of the Dorset National Landscape.
In a lengthy 64 point report, the Inspector covers in great detail the fire and storm risk and potential pollution of the aquifer used for drinking water from the hazardous materials that could be released and contaminate the groundwater. He also states that there would be harm to the Dorset National Landscape. These two harms outweigh any benefit in terms of energy storage. The report concludes that:
“ In conclusion, I find that whilst the benefits of the scheme would outweigh the moderate harm that would be caused to the Dorset National Landscape, they are insufficient to outweigh the very substantial, overriding, unacceptable risks in respect of pollution of the water environment including groundwater in the aquifer and human drinking water in the event of a fire and storm event, however low the probability of such a risk would be, in conflict with the development plan and the national decision-making policies of the Framework. The mitigation proposed would not be effective in ensuring that there would be an acceptable balance between harm and benefit. Accordingly, the proposal is not suitable for its location“.
Congratulations to the Hawkchurch & Monkton Wyld Action group for all their hard work. You’ve done an amazing job opposing so many proposals in the area in the last few years.