Newark and Sherwood District Council Planning Committee defers decision on Elements Green’s plans to connect Battery Energy Storage System to National Grid at Staythorpe

Infrastructure works near an electricity substation have been put on hold after a council chose to defer plans until a future date.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee was asked to approve plans to carry out infrastructure work at the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), on land just outside of Staythorpe.

Plans for the Staythorpe BESS, which will see 82 energy storage units built, were approved by the district council earlier this year. However, the latest application seeks permission to carry out works which would connect the BESS site with a National Grid Electricity Substation.

The BESS site is also an important component of the large scale Great North Road Solar Park, which is currently also in the planning process.

A consultation is currently ongoing surrounding the plans. This was considered a point of contention for councillors who were uncomfortable making a decision before the consultation had ended.

Sue Saddington said that the application has only been brought forward due to pressure from the applicant — Elements Green —, asking “why should they have special treatment?”

The committee was also told by a member of the public that approval without the consultation results would “set a precedent for future applications.”

Additional concerns related to environmental impact, as well as loss of amenity for residents as work would require a temporary closure of a village bus stop.

A decision has been deferred until the next planning committee meeting on December 5.