Battery storage system at Land North of Solar Park, Ebbsfleet Lane, Ramsgate

What was proposed

The application proposed a battery storage system with ancillary infrastructure, access, landscaping and boundary treatments.

“The proposed development is the installation of a battery storage system with associated ancillary infrastructure, access, landscaping and boundary treatments.”

“The development would comprise a total of 45 battery containers, 9 power station units, 3 auxiliary transformers, a monitoring room/warehouse, Distribution Network Operator (DNO) building, switchgear building, 2 water tanks, perimeter fencing, CCTV and lighting columns There would be two access points into the site, the proposed main access would be through an existing access located towards the southern end of the site from Ebbsfleet Lane.”

Officer report

The site

The site is about 1.8 hectares of agricultural land enclosed by hedgerows, with an existing access and surrounding open development.

“The site comprises approximately 1.8 hectares of agricultural land and is enclosed by existing hedgerows which limit views into the site. There is an existing access from Ebbsfleet Lane at the southern end of the site. The site is also physically isolated from surrounding development by A256 and Ebbsfleet Lane and the golf course to the north east.”

Officer report

Planning history

The site had no recent planning history, although earlier applications concerned a glass house and overhead electricity lines.

“There is no recent planning history for the site.”

“F/TH/12/0832 - Erection of glass house, 3No. water storage tanks and 1No. pack house. Granted 21 February 2013.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

One neighbour raised noise concerns, while the parish council raised potential battery fire, health, safety and environmental risks.

“As MPC has previously indicated for other applications, there are major concerns regarding run-off from a site due to any fire-fighting materials or cooling fluids used in the event of any battery storage unit fire. Not only should run-off risks be revisited but also percolation of those same materials into the ground (and beyond).”

“MPC are not opposed to Battery Energy Storage Systems but have very serious health and safety issues regarding them. Beyond that are the serious potential environmental impacts that could emanate from the failure of a BESS system following a fire or explosion? Hence MPC's objections to previous applications in the nearby area. MPC would therefore also urge TDC to…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker supported the application, and Councillor Smith spoke under the council’s procedure rules.

Committee decision

The committee agreed to approve the application subject to the listed conditions and an additional condition limiting plant noise at the nearest residential facade.

“Update for members on Schedule Item 4C Ebbsfleet lane, a condition was incorrectly missed off the list published on the item, recommended by Environmental Health in regard to noise. Therefore, the recommendation is updated to include the following condition as condition 14:”

“The rating level of noise emitted from the proposed plant and equipment to be installed on the site shall not exceed the noise limits set out in the Noise Impact Assessment: 51-567R1-5 June 2025 which was undertaken in accordance with BS4142: 2014 + A1:2019; when measured and assessed at the nearest residential facade.”

Minutes