Plans to build a new battery energy storage system on farmland near Lambley have been recommended for approval, despite opposition.
Councillors will next week decide whether to green light plans when an application from Grenergy Renewables UK Ltd to create a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure goes before the planning committee.
The BESS would be based on land at Burton Wood Farm on Spring Lane.
More than 250 objections to plans have been received from residents, Lambley Parish Council, Burton Joyce Parish Council and Gedling MP Michael Payne, with concerns about fires, explosions and environmental damage being raised.
Nottingham Fire and Rescue had also voiced concerns relating to the proximity of the battery units to each other but amended plans were subsequently submitted increasing the distance between the units.
A spokesman for Grenergy defended plans to Gedling Eye last month.
They said: “All of our projects are developed in the interest of national need whilst considering the localised social and environmental impacts of development. Assessments into these aspects have been produced by experienced and qualified professionals who evaluate the development based on accepted national standards.
“These are reviewed by equally suitable statutory consultees on behalf of the local planning authority and it should be noted that with regards to the Spring Lane planning application, we have received no objection from any of these professionals whom we rely upon to accurately assess these impacts.”
In their report for councillors, planning officers recommended that the development goes ahead, if a number of conditions are met.
They said: “In conclusion, and taking into account all relevant material planning considerations, it is considered that whilst the application would result in inappropriate development within the green belt; very special circumstances exist to allow the grant of planning permission.
“Notably the detrimental impact on the character of the area would be minor and that the clear environmental benefits of the scheme would meet the very special circumstances threshold and allow the grant of planning permission.
Planners said for planning permission to be approved, the development must not begin later than three years after the approval and that works shall not commence until a Battery Safety Management Plan (BSMP) and Emergency Response Plan have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 24 at 6pm. It can be watched on a live stream HERE
We the people do NOT want this battery farm, nor do we want your green scam cr@p!!
It’s disgraceful that the result is being circulated before the meeting on Wednesday 26th March. What is the point of people objecting if they are not heard? GBC should hang their heads in shame