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Edinburgh Reporter
05-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Battery storage site next to school approved despite concerns
Scottish Ministers have given the go ahead to a battery storage site less than 100 metres from a school campus despite safety concerns. Midlothian councillors urged the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit to consider the fact the new Battery Energy Storage System, known as BESS, would be so close to the Dalkeith campus which has around 2,500 children and young people in its roll. But a meeting of the council's planning committee next week will hear the BESS has been approved with no mention of fire risks or the proximity of the school in the Minister's decision. A report to councillors says: 'The Ministers are satisfied that landscape and visual impacts, impacts on traffic, impacts from noise, coal mining legacy issues, decommissioning, and pollution prevention can all be mitigated via the use of conditions. 'The determination letter does not make any comment on fire risk or the safety of the schools campus.' Ministers determined the benefits of the new site would be vital to meeting net zero targets They said: 'Energy storage such as the proposed development provides will be vital in that context to help maintain the balance between supply and demand, to ensuring security of supply, and to reducing the curtailment of renewable generators under grid constraints which would otherwise result in a loss of valuable renewable generation. 'Secure and stable energy supply is a fundamental need of a prosperous economy. As well as the potential economic benefit to local and national businesses during construction, the proposed development would provide further benefit to the economy through its contribution to underpinning energy security and flexibility.' Midlothian councillors wrote to the Energy Consent Unit, which is responsible for decisions about BESS applications, to raise their concern about it being placed on a 12 hectare field behind the school campus which includes Dalkeith and St Davids High Schools as well as Saltersgate School and Woodburn Primary School. Councillor Ellen Scott, SNP administration education spokesperson, told a meeting of the planning committee in December that there had been an explosion and major fire in Merseyside four years ago at a battery storage unit where it was reported the temperature on the site rose to 40 degrees Celsius within two minutes. She said: 'This site is just 70 metres from the edge of the schools campus where 2,500 of our young people, some very young at three years old and some with severe complex needs, are going to be.' Her comments were supported by Councillor Dianne Alexander who also said the site was over a 'coal seam and gas pipe' She said: 'I just think this is too dangerous for us to allow.' The proposals for the site include a BESS with a capacity of 200 megawatts with 168 storage containers spread across four compounds. The containers will be used to house Lithium-ion batteries and the compounds will be hard surfaced and enclosed with three metre high fencing. The report to councillors next week says: 'The Scottish Ministers in making their determination on the application, have balanced all relevant considerations, decided what weight is to be given to each and reached a view as to where the balance of benefit lies. 'On balance, it is considered that the impacts of the proposed development are acceptable in the context of its benefits, and that the development is supported by relevant planning and energy policies.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
05-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Battery storage next to Midlothian school approved despite safety fears
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Scottish Ministers have given the go ahead to a battery storage site less than 100 metres from a school campus despite safety concerns. Midlothian councillors urged the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit to consider the fact the new Battery Energy Storage System, known as BESS, would be so close to the Dalkeith campus which has around 2,500 children and young people in its roll. But a meeting of the council's planning committee next week will hear the BESS has been approved with no mention of fire risks or the proximity of the school in the Minister's decision. A report to councillors says: "The Ministers are satisfied that landscape and visual impacts, impacts on traffic, impacts from noise, coal mining legacy issues, decommissioning, and pollution prevention can all be mitigated via the use of conditions. "The determination letter does not make any comment on fire risk or the safety of the schools campus." Ministers determined the benefits of the new site would be vital to meeting net zero targets They said: "Energy storage such as the proposed development provides will be vital in that context to help maintain the balance between supply and demand, to ensuring security of supply, and to reducing the curtailment of renewable generators under grid constraints which would otherwise result in a loss of valuable renewable generation. "Secure and stable energy supply is a fundamental need of a prosperous economy. As well as the potential economic benefit to local and national businesses during construction, the proposed development would provide further benefit to the economy through its contribution to underpinning energy security and flexibility.' Midlothian councillors wrote to the Energy Consent Unit, which is responsible for decisions about BESS applications, to raise their concern about it being placed on a 12 hectare field behind the school campus which includes Dalkeith and St Davids High Schools as well as Saltersgate School and Woodburn Primary School. Councillor Ellen Scott, SNP administration education spokesperson, told a meeting of the planning committee in December that there had been an explosion and major fire in Merseyside four years ago at a battery storage unit where it was reported the temperature on the site rose to 40 degrees Celsius within two minutes. She said: 'This site is just 70 metres from the edge of the schools campus where 2,500 of our young people, some very young at three years old and some with severe complex needs, are going to be.' Her comments were supported by Councillor Dianne Alexander who also said the site was over a 'coal seam and gas pipe' She said: 'I just think this is too dangerous for us to allow.' The proposals for the site include a BESS with a capacity of 200 megawatts with 168 storage containers spread across four compounds. The containers will be used to house Lithium-ion batteries and the compounds will be hard surfaced and enclosed with three metre high fencing. The report to councillors next week says: "The Scottish Ministers in making their determination on the application, have balanced all relevant considerations, decided what weight is to be given to each and reached a view as to where the balance of benefit lies. "On balance, it is considered that the impacts of the proposed development are acceptable in the context of its benefits, and that the development is supported by relevant planning and energy policies.'
The National
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Midlothian battery storage site next to school approved
Midlothian councillors urged the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit to consider the fact that the new Battery Energy Storage System, known as BESS, would be so close to the Dalkeith campus, which has around 2500 children and young people in its roll. But a meeting of the council's planning committee next week will hear that the BESS has been approved with no mention of fire risks or the proximity of the school in the Minister's decision. A report to councillors says: 'The Ministers are satisfied that landscape and visual impacts, impacts on traffic, impacts from noise, coal mining legacy issues, decommissioning, and pollution prevention can all be mitigated via the use of conditions. READ MORE: Four men jailed over 'egregious' £6.5 million NHS Scotland contract fraud 'The determination letter does not make any comment on fire risk or the safety of the schools campus.' Ministers determined the benefits of the new site would be vital to meeting net zero targets They said: 'Energy storage such as the proposed development provides will be vital in that context to help maintain the balance between supply and demand, to ensuring security of supply, and to reducing the curtailment of renewable generators under grid constraints which would otherwise result in a loss of valuable renewable generation. 'Secure and stable energy supply is a fundamental need of a prosperous economy. As well as the potential economic benefit to local and national businesses during construction, the proposed development would provide further benefit to the economy through its contribution to underpinning energy security and flexibility.' Midlothian councillors wrote to the Energy Consent Unit, which is responsible for decisions about BESS applications, to raise their concern about it being placed on a 12-hectare field behind the school campus, which includes Dalkeith and St Davids High Schools as well as Saltersgate School and Woodburn Primary School. Councillor Ellen Scott, SNP administration education spokesperson, told a meeting of the planning committee in December that there had been an explosion and major fire in Merseyside four years ago at a battery storage unit where it was reported the temperature on the site rose to 40 degrees Celsius within two minutes. She said: 'This site is just 70 metres from the edge of the school's campus where 2500 of our young people, some very young at three years old and some with severe complex needs, are going to be.' Her comments were supported by Councillor Dianne Alexander, who also said the site was over a 'coal seam and gas pipe'. She said: 'I just think this is too dangerous for us to allow.' The proposals for the site include a BESS with a capacity of 200 megawatts with 168 storage containers spread across four compounds. Thecontainers will be used to house Lithium-ion batteries and the compounds will be hard surfaced and enclosed with three metre high fencing. The report to councillors next week says: 'The Scottish Ministers in making their determination on the application, have balanced all relevant considerations, decided what weight is to be given to each and reached a view as to where the balance of benefit lies. 'On balance, it is considered that the impacts of the proposed development are acceptable in the context of its benefits, and that the development is supported by relevant planning and energy policies.'
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
£1.5million project to make section of A7 more pedestrian friendly to start in summer
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now A £1.5million project to make a stretch of the A7 more pedestrian friendly will start work in July after it was given the final seal of approval by Midlothian councillors. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The first phase of an A7 Urbanisation project will see new bus stops, footpaths and crossings installed on the busy main road between Melville Dykes Road Roundabout to the west of Dalkeith to Eskbank Road Roundabout. A meeting of Midlothian Council today approved the first phase of work to improve active travel on the major road using £1.496m of funds which councillors stressed came from developers contributions rather than the council's own budget. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The project includes resurfacing on 12,000 square metres of road and creating two new Toucan crossings, four new bus stops with lay-bys, shelters and Real Time Passenger Information signs. A section of the A7 near Melvile Dykes Roundabout in Midlothian is set to be upgraded | Google Maps Low energy LED lighting will be installed along a shared use footpath for pedestrians and cyclists along with a buffer zone between the road and the path itself. The road currently has no pedestrian path at all. It is also expected to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph over the section. Councillors were told the work would start on July 7, the first Monday of the school holidays, with plans to complete it before schools go back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Colin Cassidy moved a motion to approve the work telling the meeting it was 'well overdue' and stressing that it would be funded by contributions from housing developers 'at no cost to the council'. He said: 'I hope it will bring improvements to the bus services and the people using it.' Councillor Dianne Alexander, who seconded the motion, added: 'This is an important step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable, affordable and attractive Midlothian. 'This is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating better ways for us to move around. This project sets a precedent for active travel across Midlothian.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Derek Milligan said questions would be asked about why the decision had been taken to start the project at the Melville Roundabout when the nearby Tesco one, which has five separate junctions, was of more concern to people. However officers said the Melville to Eskbank section had been chosen because it was the 'simplest' to get underway. And they said discussions were underway about how to tackle the issues at the Tesco roundabout including looking at introducing traffic lights or a slip road which could alleviate the traffic pressure. Councillors were told a report on option for future work would be brought to them once completed. The first phase project was approved unanimously by councillors.
Edinburgh Reporter
13-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
£1.5m project to make stretch of A7 more pedestrian friendly will start in July
A £1.5million project to make a stretch of the A7 more pedestrian friendly will start work in July after it was given the final seal of approval by Midlothian councillors. The first phase of an A7 Urbanisation project will see new bus stops, footpaths and crossings installed on the busy main road between Melville Dykes Road Roundabout to the west of Dalkeith to Eskbank Road Roundabout. A meeting of Midlothian Council today approved the first phase of work to improve active travel on the major road using £1.496m of funds which councillors stressed came from developers contributions rather than the council's own budget. The project includes resurfacing on 12,000 square metres of road and creating two new Toucan crossings, four new bus stops with lay-bys, shelters and Real Time Passenger Information signs. Low energy LED lighting will be installed along a shared use footpath for pedestrians and cyclists along with a buffer zone between the road and the path itself. The road currently has no pedestrian path at all. It is also expected to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph over the section. Councillors were told the work would start on July 7, the first Monday of the school holidays, with plans to complete it before schools go back. Councillor Colin Cassidy moved a motion to approve the work telling the meeting it was 'well overdue' and stressing that it would be funded by contributions from housing developers 'at no cost to the council'. He said: 'I hope it will bring improvements to the bus services and the people using it.' Councillor Dianne Alexander, who seconded the motion, added: 'This is an important step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable, affordable and attractive Midlothian. 'This is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating better ways for us to move around. This project sets a precedent for active travel across Midlothian.' Councillor Derek Milligan said questions would be asked about why the decision had been taken to start the project at the Melville Roundabout when the nearby Tesco one, which has five separate junctions, was of more concern to people. However officers said the Melville to Eskbank section had been chosen because it was the 'simplest' to get underway. And they said discussions were underway about how to tackle the issues at the Tesco roundabout including looking at introducing traffic lights or a slip road which could alleviate the traffic pressure. Councillors were told a report on option for future work would be brought to them once completed. The first phase project was approved unanimously by councillors. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
