Solar farm and battery storage at Land At Leyhill Road, Leyhill Road, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead

What was proposed

The application proposed a 22MW solar array, 10MW battery system, associated electrical infrastructure, access tracks, fencing, cameras and landscaping.

“Planning permission is sought for the provision of a 22 Megawatt (“MW”) solar array and its associated works, including the solar arrays, battery energy storage containers, substation, private switchgear, low voltage distribution board, communications container, access tracks, point of connection cable route, boundary fencing, CCTV cameras and soft landscaping/planting.”

“The site compound would include a 10MW Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) and its associated infrastructure, including a harmonic filter and resister, comms and welfare unit and spares containers.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 56-hectare site comprises pasture fields on both sides of Leyhill Road, near homes, public rights of way, listed buildings and the Green Belt.

“The application site is situated off Leyhill Road, around one mile south-west of the village of Bovingdon. It is approximately 56 hectares in size and divided into two separate parts lying east and west of the road. The western part comprises ten pasture fields measuring c. 39.7ha and the eastern part comprises three pasture fields of c.16.28ha. The fields are defined by hedges between 2-3 metres high in each area.”

“The site surrounds Grade II listed Marchants Farmhouse and its Grade II listed double barn. There are a number of residential properties within close proximity to the site on Leyhill Road, Shantock Hall Lane and Shantock Lane. There are also several public rights of way, including Bovingdon 006 that bisects the eastern parcel. Bovingdon 007 and 009 run along the northern boundary on Shantock Hall Lane and Pocketsdell Lane, respectively.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier proposal for a 38MW solar development and 10MW battery system was screened as not requiring an environmental impact assessment.

“British Solar Renewable Limited (“BSR”) is the “Applicant”. They are a privately owned solar developer that has developed more than 645MW of solar PV over 57 projects. This includes 575MWp of solar and 155 MWp of BESS. As such, they are a major contributor towards the UK renewable energy sector.”

“24/01956/SCE - Proposed 38MW Solar PV Development and 10MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Environmental Impact Assessment Not Required - 28th November 2024.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers gave substantial weight to renewable energy and related benefits, while considering identified harms insufficient to outweigh those benefits under the tilted balance.

“It has been concluded that the site would utilise Grey Belt land and therefore the development should therefore not be regarded as inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The production of renewable energy and its associated environmental, economic and social benefits is given substantial weight in the planning balance. The proposed permissive path also provides some limited benefits in terms of pedestrian and highway safety.”

“Taking all the benefits and harms into account, the planning balancing has concluded that, when applying the tilted balance, the application should be recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Residents, parish councils and other groups objected over Green Belt policy, farmland, landscape, biodiversity, flooding, battery safety, traffic, cumulative development and amenity.

“Green Belt and Policy Conflict Majority of comments consider the proposal inappropriate development in the Green Belt with no Very Special Circumstances (“VSCs”). It is widely stated that the proposals conflict with NPPF paragraphs 149–150 and the BovNP. Loss of Agricultural Land / Food Security Objections to the loss of productive farmland (Grades 2/3), arguing it undermines food security and renewable energy should be prioritised brownfield or rooftop sites.”

“BESS Safety Concerns about fire and explosion risks from batteries, insufficient firewater containment and pollution control measures. Traffic, Construction and Infrastructure Impacts HGV construction traffic on narrow lanes. Noise, vibration and dust. Infrastructure already strained by recent development. Cumulative Development / Village Character Overdevelopment of Bovingdon and cumulative harm from housing, industrial, and film studio projects.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Two speakers spoke against the application and two speakers spoke in support of it.

The committee vote

The motion to delegate approval was proposed and seconded, then passed with five votes for, two against and four abstentions.

“Clare Williams and [name withheld] spoke in objection to the application. Jay Saggerston and [name withheld] spoke in support of the application. It was proposed by Councillor Bromham and seconded by Councillor Guest to DELEGATE with a view to APPROVAL.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was delegated with a view to approval, subject to the British Pipeline Agency raising no material changes to the application.

“Resolved: That planning permission be DELEGATED with a view to APPROVAL, subject to a response from the British Pipeline Agency requiring no material changes to the planning application. RECOMMENDATION That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions below. Condition(s) and Reason(s):”

Minutes