Latest news with #Dimmingsdale
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concerns Staffordshire parish being 'plundered' for battery sites
An area of South Staffordshire earmarked for eight separate battery energy storage site applications is being "plundered", said a parish council leader. Three battery energy storage systems (BESS) applications have already been approved for Lower Penn, with a further three awaiting decision, said Lower Penn Parish Council. South Staffordshire Council also considered two separate BESS proposals for sites in Flash Lane, Orton, near Wombourne and The Roughs, at Dimmingsdale, in Lower Penn on Tuesday. Steve McEwen, chair of Lower Penn Parish Council, described the 100MW BESS site proposed for Dimmingsdale as a "monster". He said to planning officers: "We urge you to defer this decision to allow much more careful review and assessment – we need more time"It will impose huge detrimental changes to the community of Lower Penn. "This technology is still at an early stage of development – consequently, risks and safety are in question."Congestion is very serious in Lower Penn, just having 500 metres between these installations is so tight. We're being plundered in Lower Penn."The Orton application was approved by just one vote - but the planning committee agreed to defer their decision on the Dimmingsdale proposal after a site visit. This news has been gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
South Staffordshire battery storage scheme set for approval
Plans to transform five hectares of South Staffordshire agricultural land into a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) have been recommended for approval. The facility would have a lifespan of 50 years and store 100 megawatts of electricity, said those behind the project. Companies Elgin Energy Limited and Renewable Power Capital want to site the plants at The Roughs in Dimmingsdale and at the junction of Market Lane and Langley Road. The plans received 50 objections from local residents, with many stating that the development was inappropriate for the green belt. Lower Penn Parish Council called for the planning committee to turn down the MP Mike Wood also objected to the plans following a public meeting with residents to discuss the issue. The Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP said: "Residents are rightly concerned about the impact this site would have on the local green belt and character of the area."[While] I appreciate the need for such sites, I do not believe that our precious green belt land should be sacrificed for battery storage systems." A South Staffordshire Council planning committee is set to meet on Tuesday 17 June to rule on the application recommended for approval by officers.A report to committee said the development would make a "significant contribution to energy security, by allowing surplus electricity from the grid to be stored and used when it is most needed".This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
