400MWh battery storage system at Avondale Nurseries, Spa Lane, Ormskirk

“The proposed development comprises a 400MWH Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to provide energy balancing services to the National Grid. This type of facility operates by taking electricity from the Grid at times of low demand, storing it in batteries and releasing it back to the Grid when the demand is high.”

“The proposed development will be housed within a fenced compound and comprise: 66no. battery containers (3.0m height); 33no. transformers (2.2m height), 2no. auxiliary transformers and a number of ancillary buildings and structures. The northern strip of the site would be used for habitat planting and the creation of a pond, with two more ponds located to the south.”

“The site is located to the north of Spa Lane in Lathom and comprises 2.1ha of land consisting of a former wholesale plant nursery, an existing dwelling, horticultural greenhouses, a commercial shed and agricultural land. The site is identified as part agricultural land and part previously developed land, located entirely within the Green Belt.”

“Stand Farmhouse, a grade II listed building is located circa 150m to the west and Spa Farmhouse, a Grade II listed building is located circa 500m to the east. Lathom Park Conservation Area is located circa 80m to the north of the site.”

“1990/0854 - Erection of glasshouses and polytunnels - Granted 7 August 1990”

“To the north of the site, a full application for the installation and operation of a solar farm was approved by the Council in July 2018 (ref: 2018/0409).”

“The proposed development would utilise grey belt land and would not amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Significant weight is attached to the contribution to mitigating climate change and to energy security, albeit temporary, and the restoration of the land to best and most versatile land in comparison to its current derelict status. Any minor landscape and visual impacts will be reduced as the planting matures over time.”

“In the event that Members consider that the site does not meet all of the requirements of paragraph 154 and 155 of the NPPF in relation to grey belt, and the development is considered to amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, the benefits of the scheme would still be considered to outweigh the harm.”

“The Assistant Director of Planning & Regulatory Services submitted a report on planning application 2024/1053/FUL, relating to Avondale Nurseries, Spa Lane…”

“RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure BNG monitoring, as set out in the report.”