Home / Environment / Leeds Battery Plant Gets Green Light After Appeal
Leeds Battery Plant Gets Green Light After Appeal
18 Jun
Summary
- Planning appeal allows battery plant construction east of Leeds.
- Inspector ruled there was an unmet need for energy storage.
- Concerns over fire safety and flooding were addressed.
Plans for a new battery plant east of Leeds have been approved after a planning appeal overturned the city council's initial rejection. Harmony Energy's application for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) between Ledston and Allerton Bywater faced over 1,000 objections.
A public inquiry in March led a planning inspector to rule in favour of the company. The inspector identified an "unmet need" for such a facility, which will store energy during periods of high demand. The BESS is anticipated to make a "meaningful contribution" to achieving climate change targets through renewable energy.
Objectors had raised concerns about fire safety, flooding on green belt land, and potential contamination of wildlife habitats near Fairburn Ings nature reserve. However, the inspector classified the land as "grey belt," less environmentally sensitive than green belt. The report confirmed that fire risks and safety measures, including battery spacing, were deemed adequately addressed, ensuring public safety and avoiding environmental harm. The council is scheduled to discuss the decision on June 25.
