Energy storage site approved in green belt field

Plans for an electricity storage system in the countryside on green belt have been given the green light - despite 208 objections against the proposals.

Novus Renewable Services Ltd's plan to build the system at Marsh Lane, New Mills, and was approved at a High Peak Borough Council meeting on Monday.

The council said some of the objections included concerns over a lack of consultation, being an eyesore, proximity to a railway line and negative impact on the setting of the Peak District National Park, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

A council spokesperson said: "The development would provide infrastructure to support and increase the capacity for the supply of low carbon and renewable energy related energy."

The public objections also included concerns about its location on green belt land, increased traffic, fears of overheating batteries and that any generated electricity from the development would be used outside the county.

LDRS said the facility will be used to store energy when there is an excessive supply at the New Mills Substation.

Any excess energy will be transmitted back to the National Grid via the substation, when there is insufficient supply to meet demand.

Any electricity stored at this site would be diverted back to the National Grid and is not for any specific region or town.

The system's battery storage will be also be capable of storing sufficient power for 10,000 homes.

The development's expected lifespan is 35 years and has been approved in line with a legally binding target set by the UK Government to fully decarbonising the National Grid by 2035.

Defending their plans, the applicants argued the development would make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the UK economy and to the climate change emergency.

Novus Renewable Services also said the development will support energy security, provide low-cost energy, help avoid power cuts and that there will be a contribution to local and national economies.

Under High Peak Borough Council's planning policy, the scheme amounts to an "inappropriate development" in the green belt, meaning it can only go ahead if "very special circumstances'" are identified.

This includes benefits that outweigh any harm to the green belt.

The application has been approved subject to conditions including landscaping and tree protection measures.

It also states the development should not get underway until the site access is acceptable and after a construction environmental management plan has been put in place.

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