49.9MW battery storage system at Land At Fairfield, Inverurie

What was proposed

The application proposed a 49.9MW battery storage system with batteries, transformers, access, fencing, landscaping, parking, a water tank and drainage infrastructure.

“The proposal comprises of a new access track being formed off the A920. The access track would have a length of circa. 185m and the main BESS would be located in a broadly rectangular area. The proposed equipment and batteries would be centrally sited within this rectangular area. A circulatory track is proposed within the site with the rows of batteries being located to the west of this.”

“X11 rows of batteries and transformers, noting that each battery measures 6.0m x 2.4m and 2.4m high. • DNO control room will be 7.3 metres long, 5.9 metres wide and 4.2 metres high. The DNO will have a mono pitched roof made from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) in a grey colour, red brick walls and the steel doors will be coloured green. • Customer switchroom will be 12.3 metres long, 4 metres wide and 4 metres high.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covered 2.5 hectares of agricultural land beside woodland and a nature conservation area, 670 metres from a protected site.

“The development site covers an area of approximately 2.5 hectares of agricultural land 3km to the south of Rothienorman and 11km northwest of Inverurie. The site is bound by agricultural fields with an area of woodland to the northeast and a drainage ditch running along the western boundary.”

Officer report

Earlier planning activity

Earlier activity included an environmental assessment screening opinion adopted in 2024 and a proposal of application notice response later that year.

“The relevant planning history for the site is detailed below:”

“ENQ/2024/0934 EIA Screening Opinion for Erection of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) EIA Opinion Adopted 8 July 2024 ENQ/2024/1599 Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) Planning Service response issues 7 November 2024”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the principle, landscape, ecology, access, noise, drainage and other technical matters acceptable, subject to conditions and restoration safeguards.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with an installed capacity of 49.9MW and associated infrastructure on land at Fairfield, Inverurie. The key issues to be considered in the assessment of this application relate to the principle of the development, permission length and restoration, landscape and visual impact, siting, layout and design, ecology and biodiversity.”

“In respect of securing site restoration as required by NPF4 Policy 11(e)(xii) a condition shall be imposed requiring the submission of a restoration strategy prior to the commencement of development. A further detailed site restoration plan shall also be required at the point of cessation, which will be more detailed and will be able to take account of necessary restoration at that time.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Roads, Transport Scotland, Environmental Health, flood specialists and contaminated land officers raised no objection, while nature officers sought conditions for trees, ecology and biodiversity.

“Environment and Infrastructure Services (Environmental Health) has considered the application and the Noise Impact Assessment and would have no objection subject to conditions in relation to the noise.”

“The EcIA notes that follow up surveys and Species Protection Plans (SPP) are required as well as licensing given the noted protected species. These follow up surveys and the SPP can be secured by conditions. A biodiversity metric assessment has now been provided in the outline Biodiversity Enhancement Plan (BEP) and some details of enhancement proposals are provided in in the outline Landscape Mitigation Plan.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Agents supported the application, while four objectors spoke about nature, neighbours, flooding, traffic, overprovision, noise, visual impact and access.

What members discussed

Members debated decommissioning, biodiversity, contaminated fire water, community benefits, emergency response, planting, working hours, location and the lack of wider strategy.

“Decommissioning process and financial arrangements • Natural Environment • Biodiversity Net Gain • Potential for Contamination, particularly around fire water and use of SUDS • Community Wealth Building including Community Benefit Funds • Response to Emergency Situations • Compensatory Planting • Construction working hours…”

“The Committee sought clarification regarding the potential for contaminated water going into the SUDS. The agent confirmed that there would be an automatic valve to stop fire water reaching water reserves and the site would be monitored 24/7. They indicated that the applicant would be content to have a condition for an operational plan to detail this.”

Minutes