Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Appeal for major battery energy storage system rejected
An inspector has rejected an appeal for a major battery energy storage system in East Devon.
Battery energy storage systems store electricity when supply is high and release it when needed, helping support renewable energy.
Campaigners from Devon and nearby communities welcomed the decision.
The inspector said the scheme’s benefits did not outweigh what they called very substantial and unacceptable risks of water pollution.
The appellant argued that water used to fight a possible fire would take about eight years to reach a drinking water source, but the inspector said there was not enough evidence to support that claim.
The appeal included changes to the plans, such as larger and repositioned water tanks and wider gaps between some containers, which East Devon had not considered.
The plans have been blocked, and no further steps are stated.
An appeal for a major battery energy storage system was rejected over risks of pollution to the water environment.
Inspector Kirby found the scheme’s benefits were insufficient to outweigh what the decision described as very substantial, overriding and unacceptable risks.
The appellant said water used to fight a hypothetical fire would take about eight years to reach a drinking water source, but the inspector found insufficient evidence for that claim.
The appeal included revised plans that East Devon had not considered, including larger and relocated water tanks and a 6m separation between pairs of containers.
Local campaigners said they were massively relieved that the plans had been blocked.
- Who
- The appellant sought permission for the battery energy storage system; inspector Kirby rejected the appeal.
- What
- An appeal for the major energy storage system was rejected.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Not stated. The article refers to East Devon and the Dorset National Landscape.
- Why
- The inspector found the scheme’s benefits insufficient to outweigh the risks of pollution to the water environment.
Appellant
Inspector Kirby
Water pollution risk
Appellant
The appellant said water used to fight a hypothetical fire would take about eight years to reach a drinking water source.
Inspector Kirby
Kirby said there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that claim.
massively relieved
For years, Devon CPRE has been highlighting the risks from the hazardous materials that could be released and contaminate the groundwater.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Appeal outcome
- Rejected
- Water-tank changes
- Revised plans proposed larger tanks and relocation of some tanks
- Container separation
- 6m (20ft) between pairs of containers
- Risk claim
- Appellant estimated about eight years for firewater to reach a drinking water source
Sources
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