Leeds battery plant approved despite 1,000 objections after appeal victory
Controversial plans overturned for battery plant
Controversial plans to build a battery plant on rural land east of Leeds can go ahead after a successful planning appeal.
Leeds City Council blocked an application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Allerton Bywater and Ledston.
The project by Harmony Energy faced more than 1,000 objections and fears were raised over fire safety and flooding.
An appeal was lodged and arguments for and against the scheme on land off Newton Lane were heard at public inquiry in March.
Now a planning inspector has ruled in the company’s favour, saying there was an unmet need for the plant, which would be used to store energy to release into the grid during periods of high demand.
A planning report said: “The inspector concluded the proposed BESS would make a meaningful contribution towards the delivery of climate change through renewable and low carbon energy, and meeting net zero targets.”
Objectors to the BESS application said it would be on green belt land which was prone to flooding and close to Fairburn Ings nature reserve.
They were also concerned that if there was a fire at the BESS, water used to put it out could contaminate wildlife habitats.
The inspector said the land could be classed as “grey belt”, deemed less environmentally important than green belt.
The report said: “On that basis, the proposed BESS does not constitute inappropriate development within the green belt.”
The inspector also considered whether safety measures were adequate and if batteries at the site would be far enough apart to avoid a fire.
The report said: “The inspector was satisfied that sufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that fire risk could be appropriately mitigated, ensuring public safety and avoiding environmental harm.”
The report and appeal decision will be discussed by the council’s East Plans Panel at a Civic Hall meeting on Thursday (June 25).