A battery storage facility in Aspatria has been given the go-ahead.
Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee approved the application from Net Zero Seventeen when they met yesterday.
The firm wants to build the facility on agricultural land at West Farm in West Street, off the A596 and it could power almost 162,000 homes for two hours.
It would be operational for 40 years and the 7.4 hectare site will be home to 56 units – each 7.8m long, 1.7m wide and 2.8m tall.
A battery storage compound consists of batteries that can store energy and are able to release or absorb energy from the power network.
They would help balance out demand on the National Grid.
When there is not enough power, during periods of high demand, batteries are discharged to balance under frequency preventing black and brown outs. To balance over frequency batteries are charged to store electricity which is not required at the time of generation.
Council officers recommended that permission should be granted, subject to a number of conditions.
According to a heritage assessment, there is uncertain potential for archaeological remains of prehistoric date to be present within the site given the possibility of an enclosure/castle being either prehistoric or medieval.
A report to councillors said: “Should the presence of a castle be confirmed it has the potential to be of regional or possibly even national significance. The geophysical survey has confirmed the presence of an enclosure at this location but it has not been possible to confidently assign a period to this feature.
“It is anticipated that a programme of further archaeological investigations will be required to better define the presence and survival of archaeological remains within the site.”
Ward councillor Kevin Thurlow (Aspatria, Independent) spoke against the application and said he had concerns about the lack of concern about the proposal by the fire and rescue service.
He added: “I feel a more suitable site was offered to the north between Aspatria and Westnewton on the B5301 directly below the grid lines, close to three wind turbines, not far from the solar farm and just over the road from an existing substation.”
Cllr Thurlow said the alternative site would keep everything together and the area’s history was steeped in agriculture and mining and now it was so-called renewable energy.
He described Monday’s site visit by the committee as nothing more than a drive by.
Local resident Bill Finley also spoke out against the development and said that the main selling point for the development was that if there was a power cut locally it would keep Cumberland’s lights on. But he added: “This is not the case.”
A spokesman for the applicant said the development was a much needed energy facility which would help to increase energy security.
He said the proposal had been subject to rigorous scrutiny, the sector was extremely heavily regulated and it was a much needed investment.
Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour) said he felt concerns that there might be archaeological evidence at the site had been addressed by a planning condition that, if it was the case, the applicant would have to implement a programme of work to investigate the matter.
He asked if such a discovery could halt the development and planning officers said if something of significance was found then it could.
Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent) said that 40 years was a long time to subject residents to the visual impact of the facility but the officer said there was a significant distance between it and the nearest properties.
Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative) wondered if there was a significant reason for it being on a rural greenfield site? The planning officer said no alternative site had been suggested and it was near the grid and added: “We don’t feel there is a reason for refusal.”
Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) proposed that they approve the application and, when it was put to the vote, five members were in favour with one against and two abstentions and planning permission was granted.
