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STV News
2 days ago
- General
- STV News
Council to oppose battery storage site over 'lack of information'
Plans for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land near Dunbar are set to be opposed by East Lothian Council over a lack of information about road safety, impact on the countryside and flood risks. The proposal for the land at Pitcox, near the Biel Water, will be decided by the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit, but East Lothian Council is able to object as a statutory consultee. Officers have raised concerns about missing information in the application, as well as information which they say lacks detail. In a report to councillors, officers highlight a lack of information and assessment in the landscape reports over the loss of hedgerow important to the character of the area and its visual impact. They say the proposed entrances for the site during construction fail to meet the required visibility distances with no mitigations offered to address the issue and there is insufficient information on the risks of surface water flooding. Speaking about the impact on the land itself, the council's landscaping officers said: 'We object due to lack of information and possible/likely loss of hedgerows important to the character of the area. Changing levels within the site may also impact on the adjacent hedgerow and trees. 'No information has been provided on this and this may have a greater impact on the existing landscape than suggested. Overall, we do have a number of concerns over the accuracy of the information submitted for consideration and we would ask that the additional information is submitted for our consideration.' The proposed BESS has been applied for by AEUK Battery Project and includes 80 BESS units, 200 metres of underground cabling, two emergency fire tanks, and safety fencing around the site. The applicants say construction is estimated to take up to 32 weeks if given the go ahead but once it is built is is expected there would only be one or two vehicle visits to the site each month. Local community councils have raised concerns from locals about the safety of the site and its impact on the area and officers recommend Energy Consent Unit considers the views of the organisations in its decision making. Councillors will be asked to debate the proposals and the council's response at a planning meeting next week after councillor Donna Collins called it in because of local concerns. If council objections cannot be resolved with the applicants a public inquiry is likely to be held to decide the application. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
East Lothian battery storage plant faces council objections
Plans for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land near Dunbar are set to be opposed by East Lothian Council over a lack of information about road safety, impact on the countryside and flood risks. The proposal for the land at Pitcox, near the Biel Water, will be decided by the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit, but East Lothian Council is able to object as a statutory consultee. Officers have raised concerns about missing information in the application as well as some which they say lacks detail. In a report to councillors, officers highlight a lack of information and assessment in the landscape reports over the loss of hedgerow important to the character of the area and its visual impact. They say the proposed entrances for the site during construction fail to meet the required visibility distances with no mitigations offered to address the issue and there is insufficient information on the risks of surface water flooding. Speaking about the impact on the land itself, the council's landscaping officers said: 'We object due to lack of information and possible/likely loss of hedgerows important to the character of the area. Changing levels within the site may also impact on the adjacent hedgerow and trees. 'No information has been provided on this and this may have a greater impact on the existing landscape than suggested. Overall, we do have a number of concerns over the accuracy of the information submitted for consideration and we would ask that the additional information is submitted for our consideration.' The proposed BESS has been applied for by AEUK Battery Project and includes 80 BESS units, 200 metres of underground cabling, two emergency fire tanks, and safety fencing around the site. The applicants say construction is estimated to take up to 32 weeks if given the go ahead but once it is built is is expected there would only be one or two vehicle visits to the site each month. Local community councils have raised concerns from locals about the safety of the site and its impact on the area and officers recommend Energy Consent Unit considers the views of the organisations in its decision making. Councillors will be asked to debate the proposals and the council's response at a planning meeting next week after Councillor Donna Collins called it in because of local concerns. If council objections cannot be resolved with the applicants a public inquiry is likely to be held to decide the application. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Concern over East Lothian Battery Storage proposals spark council objections
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 Plans for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land near Dunbar are set to be opposed by East Lothian Council over a lack of information about road safety, impact on the countryside and flood risks. The proposal for the land at Pitcox, near the Biel Water, will be decided by the Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit, but East Lothian Council is able to object as a statutory consultee. Officers have raised concerns about missing information in the application as well as some which they say lacks detail. In a report to councillors, officers highlight a lack of information and assessment in the landscape reports over the loss of hedgerow important to the character of the area and its visual impact. They say the proposed entrances for the site during construction fail to meet the required visibility distances with no mitigations offered to address the issue and there is insufficient information on the risks of surface water flooding. Speaking about the impact on the land itself, the council's landscaping officers said: "We object due to lack of information and possible/likely loss of hedgerows important to the character of the area. Changing levels within the site may also impact on the adjacent hedgerow and trees. "No information has been provided on this and this may have a greater impact on the existing landscape than suggested. Overall, we do have a number of concerns over the accuracy of the information submitted for consideration and we would ask that the additional information is submitted for our consideration." The proposed BESS has been applied for by AEUK Battery Project and includes 80 BESS units, 200 metres of underground cabling, two emergency fire tanks, and safety fencing around the site. The applicants say construction is estimated to take up to 32 weeks if given the go ahead but once it is built is is expected there would only be one or two vehicle visits to the site each month. Local community councils have raised concerns from locals about the safety of the site and its impact on the area and officers recommend Energy Consent Unit considers the views of the organisations in its decision making. Councillors will be asked to debate the proposals and the council's response at a planning meeting next week after Councillor Donna Collins called it in because of local concerns. If council objections cannot be resolved with the applicants a public inquiry is likely to be held to decide the application.
Scotsman
06-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish Ministers approve battery site next to school
Scottish Ministers have given the go ahead to a battery storage site less than 100 metres from a school campus despite safety concerns. 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... 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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. A Battery Energy Storage System is proposed for field behind Dalkeith schools campus. (Pic: Google Maps) '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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '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.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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.'
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
