Plans to build lithium battery facility rejected

Plans to build a lithium battery storage facility in East Devon have been rejected.

Clearstone Energy had asked for permission to build and operate the battery energy storage system (BESS) south of Hazelhurst Raymonds Hill in Axminster.

However, planners at East Devon District Council rejected the scheme after a three-and-a-half hour debate which saw residents raise concerns about fire risks and pollution.

Despite the developer stating its equipment was 100% safe, examples of BESS fires around the country were highlighted as evidence about why the scheme should be refused.

BESS facilities allow energy companies to store electricity generated by renewable sources, such as wind or solar.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said this meant they could provide locations with renewably-generated energy, even when supply from those sources was low because of lack of sunshine or wind.

Simon Rothwell, from Clearstone Energy, said proposals such as this one were "critical" to increasing energy security, reducing energy costs and slowing the rate of climate change.

He said the project would not have "put the safety of local residents or the water supplies at risk".

Elliot Jones, speaking on behalf of Hawkchurch Action Group, said the application being considered raised "profound risks to public safety and environmental integrity".

Councillor Sarah Jackson said she had worked at a company that developed products to contain lithium iron battery fires.

She said they were "toxic" and "hard to extinguish".

Councillor Paul Hayward said he understood the need for green energy solutions, but felt the application contradicted many of the council's planning policies.

He said: "With power comes responsibility, and so anyone proposing this type of scheme in open countryside needs to provide you with 100% assurance that the benefits outweigh the risk of harm.

"If you have doubt or reservations about that, then you must refuse permission."

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