Battery storage and EV station at Lands immediately West of Creagh Roundabout and Approx 150M East of No 38-40 Hillhead Road, Toomebridge, Antrim

The site and surroundings

The site is a field outside the settlement limit, beside Creagh Business Park, the Elk complex, the former A6 corridor and the new A6.

“Letters of Support2 Letters Non Committal1 Letters of Objection9 Number of Support Petitions and signatures Number of Petitions of Objection and signatures Summary of Issues Characteristics of the Site and Area The site is located outside of any settlement limit, immediately north of Creagh Business Park, as defined in the Magherafelt Area Plan.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Roads raised no objection, Environmental Health accepted the noise and lighting assessments subject to conditions, and safety and environmental consultees informed the assessment.

“The noise impact assessment has also been examined by MUDC Environmental Health department who have been consulted in relation to this application. Env Health have not offered any objection to the findings of this report but without prejudice, have offered planning conditions which could be attached to any permission. In addition, MUDC EH department have no objections in relation to floodlighting from the proposal, having examined the lighting report.”

“NIFRS have responded to state that the site would if approved, become a “relevant premises” as defined by The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and would therefore be subject to legislative requirement to assess fire risk, record findings and put in place reasonably practicable fire precautions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke for a local resident, while the applicant’s representative spoke in favour and described the energy and transport benefits.

What members discussed

Members discussed the number of charging points, charging times, alternative sites, grid connections, safety distances, traffic and the weight of emerging policy.

“[name withheld] (HSP) referred [name withheld] presentation and said that it was a little unusual to have an EV charging station beside a BESS and the first he has encountered, with plenty of battery storage systems going through the process. One of the criticisms of the policy test was around need and appreciated that [name withheld] had outlined to a fairly large degree the charging points and issues around that.”

“[name withheld] advised that in terms of the 44 charging points, it was to suit the development site. To give members some comfort he advised that 44 points was still significantly less when comparisons are made in the quantum of EV charging points per head of population in other jurisdictions throughout the country and massively decreased on that.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A councillor proposed the recommendation, another councillor seconded it, and the committee resolved to approve the application.

“Councillor Robinson said that based on what the HSP had clarified and whilst we were not experts in this field, the matter was well discussed and proposed the recommendation. Proposed by Councillor Robinson Seconded by Councillor J Buchanan and…”

“Resolved That planning application LA09/2024/0937/F be approved subject to conditions as per the officer’s report.”

Minutes