Our energy planning team submitted plans to Rushcliffe Borough Council, on behalf of Sandbrook Capital BES Ltd, for the 600MWh BESS system based on land off West Leake Lane, Ratcliffe on Soar.
Despite the scheme being refused at planning committee over concerns about its impact on the green belt, we successfully appealed the decision, alongside Thea Osmund-Smith of No. 5 Chambers, and landscape consultancy support from Urban Green,
Graeme Thorpe, associate at PWA Planning, said: “Working closely with our consultant team during the appeal process, we were able to justify the site sat within the grey belt alongside numerous benefits that will contribute to the local net zero plan, enhance energy security in the region, and deliver positive environmental impacts.
“We were pleased to see the Inspector acknowledge that the battery storage facility would provide substantial benefits in terms of its ability to store energy from renewable sources and from the grid in order to make a meaningful contribution towards the required capacity of battery storage of energy in the UK and therefore towards Net Zero.
“This proposal will further support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate through supporting renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure in accordance”
The system, which sits in the green belt between Nottingham and Derby and close to Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station, comprises of 168 high-efficiency battery energy storage units and 84 transformer units.
It will be sectioned into three plots, each having the capacity of up to 200MWh – making it one of the largest schemes that our energy planning team has gained approval for.
The system will help to stabilise the national electricity grid by storing surplus energy from renewable sources and distributing it when demand is high, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
In addition to its energy benefits, the development will also include a comprehensive landscaping and biodiversity enhancement plan that facilitates a significant exceedance of the mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain.
Paul Sawbridge, director of Sandbrook Capital BES, said: “This represents a significant milestone for Sandbrook Capital and the broader energy sector in the United Kingdom. The capability to store and distribute renewable energy efficiently is paramount to achieving the nation’s net-zero targets.
“This facility will play an instrumental role in balancing the electricity grid and ensuring a sustainable power supply where it is most needed. As the Inspector noted in their conclusion, the proposal will deliver considerable benefits, contributing to net zero targets and facilitating the role out of increasing use of renewable energy resources, a role of which Sandbrook Capital BES is proud to play.”
