Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Construction and operation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) facility, associated infrastructure, access provision and ecological enhancement for a temporary period of 30 years.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the update sheet which provided additional information regarding several matters including the following.

1.    Comments from Hursley Parish Council made on the 16th of July 2024, that had not been included in the officer's report, which could be summarised as follows:   

a.    That the Parish Council objected to the application.

b.    That although the Parish Council recognised the need for energy generated not to be wasted nationally, this facility was in the wrong place.

c.     The Parish Council felt that the proposal failed NPPF criteria, that the application lacked alternative sites, that policies were not adequately addressed, that the site was prone to flooding, that there was an increased road accident risk and that this was a speculative private business enterprise.

2.    Further comments from the Parish Council were made on the 8th of March 2025, which referred to the lack of support for this application and the number of objections.

3.    It was also proposed to change the wording of conditions 3, 4, 9 and 25 and the full details of these proposed changes were set out in full on the update sheet.

The case officer provided a verbal update and provided further information to the Committee on these points.

During public participation, Martin Ayre spoke in objection to the application, Kevin Parr spoke in support of the application and Councillor David Killeen on behalf of Hursley Parish Council spoke to object to the application and answered members' questions.

Councillor Jan Warwick spoke as a ward member and expressed several points on behalf of residents which could be summarised as follows.

1.    It was noted that Government guidance on battery storage locations was limited, but required Local Authorities to consider the views of the local community. In this instance, over 20 formal objections had been received from residents, and objections had been submitted by the three Parish Councils.

2.    She highlighted that battery storage facilities are typically located adjacent to substations to minimise residential impact, contrasting this with the proposed site's 2.5km distance from the nearest substation and the lack of clarity regarding connection and cable routing.

3.    Councillor Warwick believed that the proposal constituted an industrial complex, not a small agricultural facility, and raised concerns about 24/7 lighting, noise output, and the substantial impact on a dark skies rural setting, with some homes located only 200m from the site.

4.    There was much local concern regarding the removal of a mature hedgerow for site access.

5.    She drew attention to the Noise Assessment, which acknowledged that predicted nighttime noise levels would exceed background levels, potentially requiring residents to permanently close bedroom windows.

6.    Councillor Warwick believed that the application contravened several planning policies, including MTRA4, DM23, and DM24, and highlighted concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6