New battery site to be built on farmland

A new battery energy storage site has been given the green light for farmland, despite objections from the public and the local parish council.

The temporary facility, which will be in place for around 40 years, is earmarked for two parcels of land to the east and west of Wombourne Road in Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Objections against the plans included concerns over noise and the impact on nature, while one comment in favour said it would be an effective way of storing renewable energy which would otherwise be wasted.

South Staffordshire Council's planning committee voted on Tuesday in favour of the project.

There were 17 objections from members of the public for reasons that included development in the Green Belt, noise concerns, risks to nearby woodland and construction traffic.

Wombourne Parish Council strongly opposed the application, and nearby Swindon Parish Council recommended it be refused due to the industrialisation of the green belt and loss of agricultural land.

But in a report to the planning committee ahead of Tuesday's vote, planning officers said the site proposed for the development only comprised low- and moderate-quality agricultural land and recommended it be approved.

"The proposed development would be temporary and time-limited to 40 years, after which time all infrastructure would be removed from the site," the report added.

"The proposal incorporates new tree planting, species-rich grassland, native species hedgerow and enhanced planting buffers. As such, the development would not detrimentally impact upon the landscape of the area and would enhance biodiversity."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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