Taynuilt battery storage site application set to go to public hearing
The proposal by Downing Renewable Developments, for a site west of the Taynuilt's substation, attracted 135 objections from the public, along with one expression of support and four neutral representations.
Questions were raised about fire safety, and conditions of awarding planning permission, before the decision to stage a hearing was made.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, June 18.
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Independent councillor Kieron Green asked about feedback from NatureScot, who are a statutory consultee in the planning process.
Planning officer David Moore responded: 'There is a lot of land, and if you look at the red line boundary, you want to have as much planting as you can, because it is agricultural land. We will be looking for tree planting and there is ample opportunity.
'The NatureScot comment is the first time I am aware that they have got involved in fire matters. They have asked for a 10-metre break.
'There are not really any trees on that ground as it is open ground, but we can talk to them about it.'
Green then said: 'Grid connections are virtually non-existent because it is right on the doorstep, so that minimises the impact, but there has been an issue raised in terms of the impact on neighbouring infrastructure.
'I am wondering, in terms of the local development plan and material considerations, what can be done in terms of this impact?'
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Moore said: 'Concerns over an impact associated with the development can be material planning considerations, but the weight you should give to something as a determining factor should be based on some form of evidence.
'In terms of the occurrence that you are concerned about actually happening, from my point of view, we have addressed the matters and there is a condition in terms of a fire safety plan.
'It is a difficult area, and although I have not given substantive weight to the risk of fire and consequences, I can understand the degree of confusion and why residents are concerned.
'But we mainly deal with the operational characteristics of a development; not on what happens if it goes on fire.'
Independent councillor Douglas Philand then asked: 'In the conditions you have 12 where further information is required before developments can progress, so I do not understand how there can be sufficient information.'
Moore responded: 'A lot of conditions are standard conditions and we have to form a judgement on whether, in the absence of that, we do not feel we can put forward a competent recommendation. A lot of conditions are to provide reassurance.'
Councillors then unanimously agreed that the application would be best to go to a public hearing, and the decision was confirmed.
Clerk Shona Barton advised that the meeting could take place in Taynuilt Village Hall, but was unlikely to be until September at the earliest.
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