Plans Submitted for Battery Storage Plant on Southowram Green Belt Land
Sandbrook Capital BES Ltd has submitted plans to build an electricity storage facility on green belt land at Ashday Hall Farm in Southowram, above Halifax. The proposed development includes a compound housing 60 battery units, 30 transformers, a substation, two auxiliary transformers, a control room, and a storage unit. The facility is designed to store electricity from the National Grid during periods of low demand for use when demand is higher.
The 11-foot (3.5m) batteries and associated infrastructure are expected to help stabilize the grid and significantly reduce energy losses, contributing to climate goals.
As the site is located on green belt land, Sandbrook Capital BES Ltd must demonstrate "very special circumstances" to justify the development. The company argues that any encroachment on the green belt would be minimal and that the public benefits of the project, including grid stabilization and energy efficiency, outweigh the potential impact on the land.
A report submitted with the application emphasizes the positive environmental impact of the project, noting its role in addressing climate challenges. The plans are currently under review by Calderdale Council.
Source: bbc.co.uk
