Battery energy storage system at Land East of Bulls Copse Road, Marchwood Bypass, Totton

What was proposed

The application proposed a 30-year battery energy storage system with battery units, substations, fire-water tanks, security fencing and a widened access.

“3PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The proposal is for the construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure for a 30-year temporary period which represents the operational lifespan of the BESS. The BESS would connect to the high voltage overhead line at the pylon and a Grid Supply Point located at Bury Brickfield Park located to the northwest of the site.”

“DNO substation; ·1 no. site supply transformer; ·1 no. switchroom; ·1 no. welfare office; and ·1 no spare parts container. Each battery container and transformer would be 2.9 m high x 6.1m long and 2.4m wide finished in light grey. A single transformer would serve each pair of battery containers. The spare parts container would be 2.6 m high x 6.1m long and 2.4m wide.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.6-hectare countryside site is east of Bulls Copse Road, near business, railway and woodland areas, and about 300 metres from the National Park boundary.

“Planning Committee11 February 2026 Application Number:25/10640Full Planning Permission Site: LAND EAST OF BULLS COPSE ROAD, MARCHWOOD BYPASS, MARCHWOOD, TOTTON SO40 4UE Development: The construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure.”

“Access to the site is from the Marchwood Bypass A326 on the spur road from the roundabout with the Totton Bypass A35. Hounsdown Business Park is located opposite and to the east of the site. To the north is a water pumping station and railway line. The site is existing open countryside used as a field for grazing horses with the adjacent area being largely agricultural.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers gave significant weight to energy-storage and net-zero benefits, concluding they outweighed countryside policy conflict and could be managed through conditions.

“Based on the above information, in the absence of confirmation of the connection date and to allow for a 2035 connection to be made, an 8-year commencement period is considered to be justified in this instance 12CONCLUSION / PLANNING BALANCE In accordance with the National Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy, the NPPF and the NFDC Climate Change SPD significant weight must be placed on the need for proposals that reduce carbon emissions and strive to achieve…”

“Battery energy storage system facilities (BESS) support the provision of increased renewable energy generation nationally and assist in meeting energy security challenges. The planning statement sets out the case for the proposals, the site selection process and the benefits of the proposals within the national policy context. These needs be set against the impact of the development within the countryside and the departure from local plan policy.”

Officer report

Public representations

No representations were received about the application.

“SSEN:Noobjection. Works are in close proximity to overhead lines electricity lines therefore further detail of distance is required. An Overhead line (OHL) plan has subsequently submitted showing the location of overheadlines and SSEN have no objections after reviewing the plans. The New Forest Verderers: No response received. 9REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED No representations received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s planning agent, Clive Fagg, took part as a public participant.

The committee’s decision

The committee delegated authority to the Service Manager to grant permission, subject to the advertisement period ending without material comments and the stated conditions.

“Delegated Authority be given to the Service Manager Development Management to GRANT PERMISSION subject to:”

Minutes