Battery site cleared to go ahead after inquiry

Plans to build a battery plant on rural land east of Leeds can go ahead after a successful planning appeal.

Leeds City Council had blocked the application from Harmony Energy for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) between Ledston and Allerton Bywater, with more than 1,000 objections lodged.

However, after a public enquiry in March, 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 in time of high demand.

The planning report said the 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 project had raised concerns over fire safety and flooding.

They 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.

But, the planning inspector said the land could be classed as "grey belt", which is deemed less environmentally important than green belt, and, as a result, the proposed BESS "does not constitute inappropriate development within the green belt".

It was 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 is satisfied that sufficient information had been provided to show that fire risk could be appropriately mitigated, ensuring public safety and avoiding environmental harm."

The report and appeal decision are due to be discussed by the council on 25 June, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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