Battery energy storage system at Tean Leys Farm, Tean Leys, Lower Tean

What was proposed

The application sought a 70MW battery storage facility with substations, underground cables, access, fencing and landscaping.

“This is full planning application which seeks consent for the construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility, associated infrastructure, customer substation, cable routing, access and landscaping.”

“The development would provide a facility with a 70MW capacity in total. This would be split into two sections with 50MW of storage connected to the approved new 132kv substation to the south (approved as part of a solar farm development), and 20MW connected to the 33kv substation off Cheadle Road in Upper Tean.”

Officer report

Site and surroundings

The main site was a 4.1-hectare agricultural field in open countryside, surrounded by fields, hedgerows, scattered trees, homes and infrastructure.

“The site predominantly relates to an agricultural field which extends to 4.1ha in area which is located within the open countryside as defined by the Local Plan Policies Map. The application boundary in total extends to 10.7ha and includes a series of narrow corridors of land. These includes:”

“The main application site parcel is generally open. There are slight land level changes with levels dropping north to south. Site boundaries comprise a mix of hedgerows, with scattered trees and fencing. The site is generally surrounded by open agricultural fields. To the east of the site is a telecommunications mast with Tean Leys Farm located further to the east. The wider landscape comprises…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement, conditions and no objection from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

“Accordingly, the proposal is considered to comprise sustainable development under the terms of the NPPF, and is in general conformity with the Policies of the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan 2020 when considered as a whole, and the Checkley neighbourhood Plan, and is recommended for approval.”

“A. That the Head of Planning in conjunction with the Chair be given delegated authority to APPROVE subject to no objection from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust; and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Speakers included three councillors and an objector against the application, and the agent for the application.

Members’ concerns

Members questioned the cable route, village disruption, traffic, parking, bridge capacity, diversion arrangements and missing consultee responses.

“Members discussed the location of the site and the proposed cable route, including the requirement to connect an additional site to the Tean substation. Concerns were raised regarding disruption through the village, traffic management arrangements, and the temporary loss of car park facilities during the construction period. Members also commented on the proposed route for construction traffic, noting that it was…”

“Members commented that the level of traffic using the affected roads during the construction period should be revisited, noting in particular that approximately 250 quarry vehicles currently use the route daily. They requested further information from Highways on the proposed diversion arrangements that would be in place during this time.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee deferred the application for further information about connections, emergency access, conditions, construction traffic and outstanding consultee comments.

“That the application be deferred to allow the applicant to provide further information to Planning Officers regarding:”

“- Reasoning behind 2 connection points - Single point of access to the site in an emergency - To address and minimise conditions - Cumulative impact of construction access on narrow lanes…”

Minutes