Battery energy storage system at Boxgrove Common, Tinwood Lane, Eartham

What was proposed

The application sought a 40-year energy storage system with battery units, associated infrastructure, accesses, landscaping and biodiversity improvements.

“The proposal involves the installation of a Battery Energy Storage System in the countryside. The Battery Energy Storage System would generate up to 70MW of power, reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security, significantly aiding climate change efforts, as recognised by National Targets and the Council’s Climate Emergency.”

“The main part of the application site, which is roughly square, would include 72 battery units supported by associated infrastructure, including 18 battery interface cabinets, 18 inverters and 10 twin skid units. A substation, aux transformer, storage container, customer switchgear and 240,000l water tank are proposed to the north of the battery units.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was in the countryside at Boxgrove Common, near the South Downs National Park, public rights of way and a neighbouring property.

“The application site is located in the parish of Boxgrove, to the south of the A285, outside of any made Settlement Boundary. The 9.63ha site is irregular in shape and comprises three parcels of land in reasonably close proximity. The application site is served by two access points, one from the A285 and the other from Tinwood Lane. In relation to the site's surroundings, this is predominantly rural in character, comprising large areas of farmland and woodland.”

“The South Downs National Park Boundary is located approximately 5m north of the site access and 640m north of the battery storage area. Nearby historical assets include Halnaker Conservation Area which lies approximately 600m north-west of the main site and the Scheduled Ancient Monument, Devil's Ditch, which lies approximately 300m north of the main site. The site is situated within the 12km buffer zone for the Singleton and Cocking Tunnels SAC.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a parish council representative and the applicant, followed by officers’ responses to questions and concerns.

What members discussed

Members discussed quarry restoration, the emergency access, noise, electromagnetic fields, fire safety, vegetation removal and biodiversity net gain.

“Responding to concerns regarding electromagnetic fields at the site; [name withheld] explained electromagnetic fields were outside the remit of the Council’s Environmental Protection Team. However, officers had contacted the UK’s Health Security Agency for Electromagnetic Fields, they had advised that the development should comply with the correct guidelines which would limit exposure to electromagnetic fields.”

“Responding to concerns regarding fire safety at the site; [name withheld] drew the Committee’s attention to the report which included a section on fire safety. In addition, West Sussex Fire & Rescue had raised no objections subject to the provision of the emergency access and other features such as water tanks and heat detectors.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members voted to support deferral for a Section 106 agreement followed by permission, with an additional emergency-access condition.

“Following a vote by show of hands, the Committee agreed to support the report recommendation to defer for S106 then permit, and the additional condition that the secondary access to be only used for emergency vehicles.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee resolved to defer for a Section 106 agreement and then permit the development subject to the report conditions, informatives and additional access condition.

“Resolved; Defer for S106 then permit; subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, and the additional condition that the secondary access to be only used for emergency vehicles.”

Minutes

Extra condition added

The secondary access on Tinwood Lane may be used only by emergency vehicles.

“Responding to concerns regarding the use of the secondary access; [name withheld] acknowledged concerns and confirmed an additional condition would be added to ensure the secondary access on Tinwood Lane would only be used in an emergency. [name withheld] further clarified why it was appropriate to include the condition as part of the recommendation.”

Minutes