‘A breath of fresh air!’ Solar farm’s battery storage system plans praised by councillors as way to ‘develop something that works’

Plans to construct a 1.36 hectare Battery Energy Storage System on an active solar farm have been lauded as a way to ‘develop something that works’. South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously in favour of siting 48 battery storage containers at Sutton Bridge solar farm, which lies south of Centenary Way.

Speaking at the latest meeting on Wednesday (April 2), Coun Paul Redgate praised the application made by EDF Renewables as a way that developers and the local authority can work together to ensure projects that suit all parties are brought to the table. “It’s actually quite nice we’ve got a project that takes into account solar panels in an area that works for us as an authority. What more can we ask for?” he asked, backing the plan to place the containers within the active development.



“This shows, come and talk to us, work with us, let’s develop something that works for our local residents and we can achieve great things. “It’s a breath of fresh air given what we’ve had in this chamber in recent months.” Coun Henry Bingham agreed with Coun Redgate, adding: We don’t object to anything that is renewable, we object to renewables in the wrong places.

“It’s good to see something in the right place.” The motion to approve the scheme was put forward by Coun Chris Brewis, who represents the Suton Bridge ward. “Members probably know this solar farm to the south of Centenary Way was constructed on poor quality land,” he told the chamber.

“it wasn’t high quality farmland and received a lot of support. “It seems to me that anything that ensures energy can be stored and used at appropriate times is ok. It won’t be particularly obtrusive from Centenary Way.

” A BESS will store electrical energy when productivity is high for later use. Plans also include a control room, LV substation, switch room, spares containers, fencing, CCTV containers, water containers and an access road. Speaking at the meeting, Katy Emett, representing agent IC Planing, said: “The battery will connect into the existing solar farm substation and will share the existing cable connecting back to the National Grid, Walpole substation, minimising any disruption.

“We will go about building our scheme in a sensitive manner which respects the local community, ensuring our construction project manager is available to address any concerns and issues.” While the comittee backed the scheme, Coun Alan Beal, couldn’t contain his frustration at the scheme being caled a ‘solar farm’. “I do not like the incorporation of the word farm,” he said.

“The word farm by definition is land or a building for the rearing of crops or raising of animals. this is a solar site, full stop.”.