Energy storage system at Land At Tyddyn Forgan, Caernarfon

What was proposed

The application proposed a 40-year temporary energy storage system with storage units, a substation, access, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

“Proposal: Temporary planning permission for a period of 40 years to erect an Energy Storage System (ESS), together with associated infrastructure, site access, landscaping and ancillary works on land at Tyddyn Forgan, Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, LL55 3AN.”

“Description: This is a full planning application for the installation and operation of an Energy Storage System (ESS) including energy storage units, an electricity substation, site access, land- scaping and ancillary infrastructure on land to the south of the existing Pentir electricity substation. A cable connection to the electricity grid has been agreed with Scottish Power Energy Networks.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 4.6-hectare rough grazing site is in open countryside beside the existing substation, within a historic landscape and partly in Flood Zone B.

“The site comprises 4.6ha of rough grazing land in an open countryside site outside any development boundary as defined in the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (LDP). The site is within the Dinorwig Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and is partly within Zone B as indicated in the Flood Risk Map accompanying Technical Advice Note 15 "Development and Flood Risk" (2004) (the version of the TAN that is applicable to this application).”

“The adjacent woodland to the southeast, "Coed Tŷ'n Llwyn", and "Coed Tyddyn Morgan" to the north, is a recognised "Regional Wildlife Site" and the land is classified as 3a and 5 in the predictive Agricultural Land Classification Map for Wales.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Biodiversity Unit objected over habitat loss, while other consultees mainly raised conditions or had no objection, including transport, trees, Welsh Water and Cadw.

“Biodiversity Unit: Objection There are inadequate mitigation measures for habitat loss and the development does not provide biodiversity enhancement. Recognise that the application incorporates many measures for reducing the impact of the development on biodiversity, but due to the constraints of land available to the developer, this development would still result in a biodiversity loss.”

“Public Protection Unit: A Noise Impact Assessment was carried out on the proposal which identified the current baseline characteristics of the site and its surroundings, as well as the anticipated impacts from the proposed development and the cumulative impacts with other similar developments in the area. The Unit advises that conditions are imposed to control and monitor the noise emanating from the facility.”

Officer report

Objections received

The community council objected over countryside overdevelopment, visibility, fire and security concerns, insufficient consultation and a lack of local employment.

“No objection Public Consultation: A notice was posted on the site and neighbours were consulted. The advertising period has ended and correspondence has been received from Pentir Community Council (adjacent to the site), objecting to the development on the following grounds: • An overdevelopment – there is already one such site in the same area that has been permitted, and this would be an excess of this type of storage sites in the countryside.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported the scheme, citing energy benefits, safety, existing infrastructure, consultation and a proposed community benefit fund.

What members considered

Members considered the site’s countryside and biodiversity impacts, the existing substation, proposed conditions, and why the temporary period was 40 years.

“…proposed. It was noted that regular communication had been undertaken between the developer's ecologist and the biodiversity unit and despite the continued concerns from the Biodiversity Unit, the following matters were emphasised: • Approval would enable management of the site through planning conditions for ecological purposes as there was no such protection for the existing site • The detailed steps included in the Landscape and Ecological…”

“There were no objections from the Fire and Rescue Service • A grid connection had been agreed with the Pentir Sub-station - this reduced the effects of installing underground cables and therefore the visual impact was low on the landscape due to its proximity to the sub- station • Pre-application discussions and local consultations had been undertaken in accordance with good practice requirements • The proposal supported local distribution from…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions covering construction, landscaping, ecology, noise, archaeology, contamination, language, management and restoration.

“Five years. In accordance with the plans/details submitted with the application 3. Compliance with the landscaping scheme along with future maintenance work 4. Compliance with the recommendations of the following documents: Ecological Impact Assessment, Arboriculture Impact Assessment, Ecological Technical Note and Green Infrastructure Statement 5. Compliance with the Flood Consequences Assessment 6. Limit construction times 7. Set a maximum for noise emissions 8.”

Minutes