Micro-energy storage facility at Bucknell Way, South Molton
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by North Devon Planning Committee on 3 Sept 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought to remove the materials condition and change the approved plans for the battery boxes, colour and fencing.
“- Vary Condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission 79032, which refers to approved plans and details. - Remove Condition 3 (materials), which requires the battery boxes, cabinets, and fencing to be finished in RAL6009 Fir Green.”
“The application seeks removal of Condition 3 and variation of Condition 2 to provide alternative external treatment and fencing. The proposed changes include: - Installation of ‘Wooden Paladin fence’ constructed of timber with a green metal frame to the west of the battery boxes at a height measuring 2.4 metres, matching the approved fencing height. - The Battery Box Colour finish is to be changed from RAL6009 Fir Green to a neutral grey tone.”
Officer report
The site and its history
The site is in a business park beside an existing electricity substation, with established screening and an existing vehicle route; the facility was previously approved.
“The site is located within the Pathfields Business Park, which is an allocated business park containing various industrial and commercial uses.”
“The site lies east of Bucknell Way, directly opposite the Mole Valley building. It currently contains an existing electricity substation, which is well screened by mature boundary planting and trees. Access to the site is provided via an existing hard-surfaced route from the roundabout, ensuring convenient vehicular entry without the need for new access.”
Officer report
What consultees and residents said
The fire service and environmental health raised no concerns, the town council supported approval subject to full fencing, and no representations were received.
“The Fire Officer Reply Received: 14/08/2025 With reference to your email dated 13 August 2025 application number 79032, I can see no cause for concern over the proposed changes to the colour and fencing for the proposed battery box.”
“Environmental Health Manager Reply Received: 13/08/2025 The proposed changes under application 80530 do not raise any concerns from an environmental impacts perspective.”
Officer report
The committee decision
The committee unanimously approved the application as recommended by the Senior Planning Officer.
“The Committee considered a report by the Senior Planning Officer (RB) (circulated previously) regarding planning application 80530.”
“RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Senior Planning Officer (RB)”
Minutes
Sources
- North Devon Planning Committee minutes, 3 September 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of North Devon's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- North Devon Planning Committee
- Council
- North Devon
- Date
- Wednesday 3 September 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- Unanimous
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- North Devon committee decisions →
This committee's year
15 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.