50 MW battery storage facility at Land Adjacent Titchfield Lane, Wickham

What was proposed

The application sought a 50 MW battery storage facility, a new access, landscaping, engineering works and associated buildings, equipment, fencing and lighting.

“Consent is sought to construct a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 50 MW which would connect into the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) via an underground cable to the substation provided by the DNO on the site. The underground cable does not form part of this application as it will be laid and owned by the DNO thorough Permitted Development rights.”

“Alongside the main BESS and associated compound, a new vehicular access would be formed off Titchfield Lane. This would necessitate the removal of some roadside trees and vegetation. The proposed access road would comprise an asphalt surface.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.6-hectare open countryside site is rough grazing land beside ancient woodland, a railway, pylons and nearby homes.

“The proposed development site amounts to approximately 2.6 hectares in size and lies within open countryside. There is currently no built development within the site at present, and it comprises an area of rough grazing land, identified within the Agricultural Land Classification dataset as ‘non agricultural’. Electricity pylons currently cross the site on an approximate east-west alignment.”

“The site forms part of a wider network of small fields which are set amongst extensive areas of woodland. This includes the Botley Wood and Everett's and Mushes Copses Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (ancient woodland) which directly adjoins the south and east boundaries of the site. A mainline railway lies close to the east boundary of the site (just over 10 metres away).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier screening exercise concluded that an environmental statement was not required for the battery storage proposal.

“Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) - 24/01656/SCREEN – EIA not required 03.09.2024”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered that the site need and grid connection were demonstrated, with significant energy benefits outweighing limited, mitigated environmental effects.

“The proposed development would introduce a significant new element of built development into the open countryside (on a site where no buildings currently exist). Furthermore, the nature of the proposal is such that it is not directly linked to the need for a countryside location, as required by LPP1 Policy MTRA4 or emerging Regulation 19 local plan policy SP3, and also does not fall within any of the listed exceptions under these policies.”

“Information which accompanies the application indicates that the BESS would operate by taking electricity from the National Grid at times of low energy demand, storing it in batteries, and then releasing it back to the National Grid when demand for energy is high. The proposal is therefore designed to improve the efficiency of existing energy production facilities, particularly from renewables where production is intermittent and based on external conditions.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Technical consultees generally raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council and residents objected on need, safety, traffic, noise, drainage and environmental grounds.

“Having regard to the additional information provided by the Applicant and the increase in height and specification of the proposed acoustic barrier, there are no remaining concerns from a noise amenity impact regarding human receptors • As the noise is predicted to increase the immediate background noise levels and is of a different acoustic character, there will be some potential tranquillity impacts • Because technological changes advance rapidly, it is recognised the…”

“Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service – No objections, subject to conditions securing details relating to the fire safety measures (in the form of a battery safety management plan)”

Officer report

Support and other concerns

A supporting representation sought additional screening, a fire alarm, runoff management and access for woodland and hedgerow maintenance.

“One supporting representation received on behalf of Denewulf and Fareham West Scout Districts making the following comments:”

“Our site is primarily used at weekends, and some evenings by young people with adult support for activities and camping • The site is fully protected by an SSSI • Additional trees should be planted by Grenergy along their south boundary to further mask the installation • An audible sounder indicating if a fire starts on site (to allow the leaders of the young people to quickly make arrangements to vacate the site) • The management of increased run-off water which currently…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Two objectors, a supporter and a parish councillor speaking for the parish council addressed the committee and answered questions.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned the application, including construction traffic, fire safety, noise, the need for battery storage and the connection date.

“Additional representations had been received from the Parish Council and members of the public questioning the need for the development, grid connection, cumulative impact, traffic management, fire safety, noise, and community engagement. The update sheet also contained technical amendments to the officer’s report and revisions to conditions 3, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 24. These points were set out in full within the update sheet with textual amendments highlighted.”

“In addition to the published presentation, the case officer provided a verbal update regarding the key issues that had been raised, including: construction vehicle movements, fire safety issues, noise, the need for battery storage and the connection date.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed to grant permission subject to the report and update-sheet conditions, with amended landscaping wording and an additional construction-traffic informative.

“The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update sheet. This was subject to an amended condition requiring the landscaping scheme to be implemented upon completion of construction and an additional informative regarding the coordination of construction traffic with neighbouring developments, the final wording of which to be delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair.”

Minutes