Latest news with #Axminster
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
East Devon District Council rejects lithium battery facility
Plans to build a lithium battery storage facility in East Devon have been Energy had asked for permission to build and operate the battery energy storage system (BESS) south of Hazelhurst Raymonds Hill in planners at East Devon District Council rejected the scheme after a three-and-a-half hour debate which saw residents raise concerns about fire risks and the developer stating its equipment was 100% safe, examples of BESS fires around the country were highlighted as evidence about why the scheme should be refused. BESS facilities allow energy companies to store electricity generated by renewable sources, such as wind or solar. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said this meant they could provide locations with renewably-generated energy, even when supply from those sources was low because of lack of sunshine or Rothwell, from Clearstone Energy, said proposals such as this one were "critical" to increasing energy security, reducing energy costs and slowing the rate of climate said the project would not have "put the safety of local residents or the water supplies at risk". 'With power comes responsibility' Elliot Jones, speaking on behalf of Hawkchurch Action Group, said the application being considered raised "profound risks to public safety and environmental integrity".Councillor Sarah Jackson said she had worked at a company that developed products to contain lithium iron battery said they were "toxic" and "hard to extinguish". Councillor Paul Hayward said he understood the need for green energy solutions, but felt the application contradicted many of the council's planning said: "With power comes responsibility, and so anyone proposing this type of scheme in open countryside needs to provide you with 100% assurance that the benefits outweigh the risk of harm."If you have doubt or reservations about that, then you must refuse permission."
BBC News
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Sunderland vehicle museum inundated with glass donations
A planned transport museum has been inundated with donations of glass and volunteers after people were asked to help restore their charity Tyne Tees Heritage Transport is converting an old warehouse in Sunderland into a vehicle museum and workshop. Vice chairman Rob Evans said his phone went "crazy" with people responding to the social media appeal and that a "vast amount" of glass had been John Kelly said they were undertaking the project to keep "history alive". The organisation, which is made up of groups including the Northeast Military Vehicle Group, Durham MG group and Sunderland and District Classic Vehicle Society, got access to the building in November."When we first came in, it was like an Axminster [carpet] of pigeon poo," Mr Kelly said."We had 14 volunteers on the day to brush pigeon poo, which is remarkable on a cold November day." Volunteers from all over the north-east of England had been at the site glazing, clearing vegetation and reconnecting the mains Kelly said people had been "cleaning drains out up to their necks and up to their shoulders, with hands down drains"."It's dedication, they're a first class group of people." 'Last of the Summer Wine' The building was previously used to repair steam locomotives before becoming an engineering workshop and the charity has been successfully applying for grants to fund the project."It's got a huge history," Mr Kelly said."We're all of a geriatric age now, it's like Last of the Summer Wine when you come into our groups."We decided we need to leave something for the future and get younger people involved." Mr Evans said he had been all over the region collecting donated glass."It's very expensive if you need to buy it," he said."So I thought, 'What better? We've got a community of classic car enthusiasts and I'm sure people have old greenhouses falling down in the garden, and it was worth a try'."They also received a large donation from Washington company N E & C Windows & Doors."I can't thank them enough," Mr Evans said."There'll probably be other appeals because there's an awful lot we need, so watch this space." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
