49.9MW battery storage facility at Land 190M Northwest Of 3 Leadhills Road, Elvanfoot, Biggar

“Description of Proposed Development 3.1. Planning permission is sought for the installation of a 49.9 Megawatt (MW) battery storage facility and associated infrastructure at land at Leadhills Road, Elvanfoot.”

“2: Electrical cabinets housing the Energy Management System (EMS), Battery Management System (BMS) and Low Voltage Controls. 3: Internal site access road. 4: Invertor and Transformer Units. 5: Site compound, enclosed by 3m high security fence 6: Construction compound (identical to that approved under application P/23/0927) which will be shared with the “phase 1” development. 7: Security fencing standing 3m in height. 8: Security lighting (controlled by motion sensors).”

“The land within the boundary of the site comprises rough agricultural grazing land, bounded by post and wire fencing. The site slopes gently from west to east, with the land rising more steeply beyond the northwestern boundary of the site towards the Lowther Hills.”

“The site and wider pastureland comprise heavily modified bog habitat, the majority of which is classified as Class 1 Peatland. Within the site boundary there is evidence of artificial field drains having been cut and existing channels modified. A modified channel runs through part of the site north of Leadhills Road, which runs southwest to northeast joining with a more natural channel which eventually passes under the A702, before connecting to the River Clyde.”

“Principle of Development 10.6. Policy 11 of NPF4 seeks to encourage, promote and facilitate all forms of renewable energy development which includes energy generation, storage, new and replacement transmission and distribution infrastructure. Part (a) of Policy 11 states that development proposals for all forms of renewable, low-carbon and zero emissions technologies will be supported, and these include, at point iii:-”

“It is considered that the principle of the proposed battery energy storage facility in Elvanfoot accords with the provisions of part (iii) of Policy 11 which sets out clear support for energy storage systems, including “battery storage”.”

“Consultations 6.1. Environmental Services – No objections subject to conditions and an advisory note relating to noise and construction activity. Response: Noted.”

“SGN (High Pressure Pipeline) - No objections to the proposals subject to conditions. Response: Noted.”

“Representations 7.1. Following the statutory period of neighbour notification and advertisement, a total of 24 representations have been received, all of which note an objection to the proposed development. The issues raised within these various representations are summarised as follows:-”

“Fire and Toxic Gas Risk • Insufficient information has been provided to allow for a full and proper assessment of the risks associated with any fire at the development site.”

“Following discussion, during which an officer responded to members’ questions on various aspects of the report, Councillor Nelson, seconded by Councillor Convery, moved that the application be granted, subject to the conditions specified in the Executive Director’s report.”

“the applicants to provide the Committee with an explanation as to why they had submitted 3 separate planning applications that referred to the same wider site and were under the same ownership • additional opportunity for the applicants to engage with residents within the vicinity of the application sites…”

“On a vote being taken using the electronic voting system, 10 members voted for the motion and 12 members voted for the amendment which was declared carried.”

“The Committee decided: that planning application P/26/0243 by [the applicant] 2 Limited for the installation of a 49.9 MW battery storage facility and associated infrastructure at land 190 metres northwest of 3 Leadhills Road, Elvanfoot, Biggar be deferred to a future meeting of the Planning Committee for the reasons detailed above.”