Additional battery storage units at Land at Balderstone Lane, Burnley

“Proposal: Retrospective Application for 2no. Additional Battery Energy Storage Units and 1no. Additional Inverter Station Drawing Numbers: Technical Note - Phase 2 - 19/06/2026 Coal Mining Technical Note -Amended18/09/2026 Site Layout Plan - CRM3063006-ENZ-XX-XX-DR-T-0002- 19/06/2026 Inverter Elevations -90-270500.04 Rev A -19/06/2026 Widow Hill BESS Container Elevations -19/06/2026 Site Location Plan -CRM3063006-ENZ-XX-XX-DR-T-0001 - 19/06/2026 Widow Hill PJT_Concept~2 –…”

“It is not possible under planning legislation for a s.73 application (VAR/2024/0241) to change the description of an application. As such, the purpose of this application is for the installation of two additional two BESS units with 1no. inverter within the approved development.”

“The site is an area of land to the north of Balderstone Lane and to the south of a strip of undeveloped land with houses beyond. The site slopes down from north to south.”

“Figure 1: Site Location 1.2 The site is within the development boundary for the settlement of Burnley as defined in the adopted Local Plan and within an existing Protected Employment Site (EMP2/4), Heasandford & Innovation Drive. Furthermore, the site has a specific employment allocation (EMP1/6).”

“It is considered the additional units can be placed without affecting the highway access, vehicular manoeuvrability within the site or effecting visual amenity given the backdrop of the wider BESS site.”

“Measures remain in place through planning conditions attached to VAR/2024/0241 to maintain fire safety and it is considered noise levels would not significantly rise with the introduction of the proposed units. There are no new risks identified by the applicant for the proposal and the Coal Authority agree with the findings.”

“Environmental Health – No Objection No objection to the proposed development in respect of the potential for noise, nuisance, provided that the noise barrier heights and locations referred to in “Technical Note: Noise Implications of 2no. Additional Battery Containers and 1no. additional Inverter Unit”, dated 17th June 2026, shall be installed as agreed with the Local Planning Authority.”

“Lancashire Fire and Rescue – Comments provided LFRS has commented on previous applications relating to this site, most recently VAR/2024/0241, and it is noted that the details of the current proposal do appear to align with agreed fire safety provisions. On this basis there are no further observations from LFRS, and no additional conditions are requested if permission is granted.”

“A Site Notice was erected on 3 July 2026 and 48 notification letters have been sent to nearby properties.”

“Development work continues without the relevant permissions in place; • Additional noise created by the proposed units and lead to windows having to remain closed; • Increased fire risk; • Additional weight on the land containing mine shafts, increase risk to health and safety; • No planting has taken place; • Existing trees are not flourishing possible root damage; • Lights being left on during the winter months, pointing to the housing causing difficulty sleeping,…”

“That the application be approved subject to conditions.”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the application form and the following drawings and documents:”