HARRIS LAMB SECURES PERMISSION FOR BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SITE IN TRYSULL

Planners at Harris Lamb have successfully gained permission for a 100MW Battery Energy Storage System on green belt land in Trysull.

Acting for Peak Gen, the business submitted an application to South Staffordshire District Council for the provision of a Battery Energy Storage Site including substation, ancillary buildings with associated works and landscaping at the Ebstree road site, which lies within the Green Belt.

Paul Barton, who oversaw the application, said: “We have enjoyed sustained success in securing permissions from a number of authorities across the UK, including previous applications in South Staffordshire, for BESS facilities over the past two years, with the majority of councils recognising that they play a critical role in maximising the amount of energy both generated and then used within the UK through renewable sources.

“With climate change high on the national agenda and a demand for a more carbon neutral energy regime, BESS sites are a key solution, and the Government has set out BESS are a Critical National Priority,”

“Harris Lamb set out both the Very Special Circumstances to allow inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and the arguments using the new NPPF Grey Belt status, and Officers agreed the site and scheme was Grey Belt, so there was no need to consider Very Special Circumstances,” he said.

South Staffordshire District Council has proven a particularly well informed authority, with officers and most members agreeing that the need to achieve climate goals and energy security is an essential responsibility and that the location of such facilities are fundamentally driven by where a connection is made to the National Grid. Our relationship with officers is very good, and South Staffs offer a pre-application service which is detailed and involves many disciplines and Councillors, to allow the preparation of an appropriate application”

Karl Richards, Peak Gen’s Head of Development, said: “We are extremely pleased that South Staffordshire District Council has approved these proposals, which will ultimately support the country’s target of reaching Net Zero by 2050 and Harris Lamb’s understanding of renewables and of the planning process has helped this considerably.

“The Trysull site will provide a crucial resource to the people of South Staffordshire, while supporting the country’s target of reaching Net Zero by 2050.”

For further details on BESS and Renewable Energy Projects contact Paul Barton at paul.barton@harrislamb.com.