Planning Appeal Cases

Battery Energy Storage System facility dismissed near Axminster

The appeal against refusal of planning permission for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility near Axminster, Devon is dismissed. The Inspector identified fire safety as the critical issue, noting that whilst the risk of a fire event was calculated to be very low, a residual risk existed over the proposed 40-year lifetime of the scheme. The Inspector found significant shortcomings in the evidence supporting the fire safety of the specified Quantum 1 BESS cabinets, particularly regarding their 10cm spacing between units and compliance with the updated National Fire Chiefs' Council guidance which postdated the local fire service's consultation response. The absence of current advice from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service on the latest guidance and safety concerns about deflagration/explosion mitigation meant the proposal did not demonstrate it would follow current best practice as required by local plan policy. Whilst the scheme would make a substantial contribution to national renewable energy targets and carbon reduction objectives, these benefits could not outweigh the fire safety concerns and associated risks to groundwater pollution and local residents' health.