Battery energy storage at Land To North East Of Eco Park, Charlton Lane, Shepperton

A large battery storage facility

The application is for a battery energy storage system of up to 100 megawatts output and around 200 megawatt hours capacity, with site access and a cable route.

“The construction of and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System of up to 100 megawatts electrical output with a total capacity of circa 200 megawatt hours, associated site access and partial cable route, with associated work.”

Minutes

Letters raising fire safety concerns

Further letters of representation raised fire safety concerns, including one sent to the fire and rescue service and one sent directly to committee members.

“One additional letter of representation was received raising concerns regarding fire safety.”

“A letter was also sent directly to members of the Planning Committee raising objections to the proposal.”

Minutes

Objection from residents' associations

A speaker for local residents' associations called the Green Belt site inappropriate, questioned the need for the scheme there, and raised the risk of a battery fire near a reservoir, housing and schools.

No objection from fire or environment bodies

Officers said the application was now smaller than originally submitted and that neither the fire and rescue authority nor the Environment Agency had objected.

“The Senior Planning Officer advised the Committee that the application was now smaller than the original submitted and that neither the Surrey Fire and Rescue Authority nor the Environment Agency had submitted any objections.”

Minutes

The applicant's agent speaks in support

The applicant's agent said community consultation had led to improvements, safeguards and conditions were in place, the Environment Agency had withdrawn objections, and the site would be monitored continuously.

Green belt harm against clean energy

Members debated whether the scheme met the test for special circumstances in the Green Belt, the risk of fire near vulnerable areas, and the case for more green energy.

“Inappropriate development of a Green Belt site. Concerns over the access road to the site. Don’t think that this application meets the criteria for ‘special circumstances’. Application site is close to vulnerable area. Using fossil fuels negates any benefit from the proposed scheme. The Council has declared a Climate Emergency. Landscaping scheme needs to be of a good standard. 8.”

“Clean energy is desirable and a battery storage facility is a good idea but not on this particular site. Impact on local residents would be great if a fire broke out.”

Minutes

A motion to approve fell

A named vote on a motion to approve the application subject to the report's conditions fell by twelve votes to two.

“For Councillors Burrell and Geraci -2 votes Against Councillors Bateson, Beatty, Beecher, Buck, Chandler, Clarke, Grant, Howkins, Lee, Nichols, Rutherford, Woodward, - 12 votes Abstain 0 votes…”

“The motion to approve the application subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 8.3 of the report FELL.”

Minutes

Overturned for Green Belt harm

A new motion to overturn and refuse the application passed, finding the development inappropriate in the Green Belt with no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm.

“It was proposed by Councillor Beecher and seconded by Councillor Clarke that the application is overturned and refused for the following reason:”

“The development is inappropriate in the Green Belt and there are no very special circumstances that outweigh the harm, contrary to Saved Policy GB1 of the Spelthorne Borough Local Plan 2001 and the NPPF 2024.”

Minutes