Battery farm plans will worsen 'mystery hum' impact

Plans for a large energy storage unit in a West Yorkshire village could "compound" the effects of a mystery low-level hum that some residents say they can hear.

Dozens of people have objected to proposals to build the battery energy storage system (BESS) on an industrial estate in Holmfield.

Some residents said their sleep and health were already impacted by a low-level noise known as the "Holmfield Hum".

Masdar Arlington Energy said BESS were "a cornerstone of the UK's strategy to achieve climate change targets" and the plans would "deliver no significant adverse impact".

The units are being built across the UK to help balance the electricity grid, which is becoming increasingly powered by renewables.

The systems hold electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines and solar farms.

The company said its proposals would see an installed capacity of up to 500MW and would supply electricity to the National Grid during times of peak energy demand, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Permission is being sought from Calderdale Council for the development for a "temporary period" of 40 years.

The Hum: Villagers 'tortured' by mystery noise

Mystery noise cannot be identified

More than 70 people have objected with concerns about noise as well as the risk of fires and impact on the wildlife.

The Holmfield Hum is a low frequency noise that has been impacting a number of residents since 2019.

They say it has affected their physical and mental health including lack of sleep, headaches, ear pain, stress and anxiety.

Despite investigations by the council, the source of the noise is unknown.

Commenting on the proposed BESS, one resident said the noise assessment report did not "make any comment of existing noise pollution or reports of noise disturbance" which were already a problem in the area.

They said: "Adding a grid scale BESS of this magnitude will only serve to compound the "Hum" of which residents are already suffering from and potentially leading to increased discomfort and health issues."

Another resident said: "I have been frequently bothered by the Holmfield Hum and dread to think of more noises added to the stress of this both during building and when the plant is up and running.

"The geography of the land broadcasts the echoes and acoustics near and far depending upon atmospheric conditions."

Another objector wrote: "The risk of fire and disaster, more noise pollution (in addition to the already annoying Holmfield Hum), worsening air quality should be reason enough to not go ahead with this in such a residential and countryside area."

Planning consultants Turley, who submitted a statement on behalf of Masdar Arlington Energy, said the scheme includes four metre-high acoustic fencing and "noise levels would be below background levels, ensuring no impact".

They added an outline battery safety management plan had been prepared and detailed how "in the event of fire outbreak, the incident would be managed in a manner which safeguards firefighters, the local community and environmental receptors."

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