Residents say they’ve been ignored after plans for a 29-hectare battery storage site near Clydebank was granted approval by the Scottish Government.
The controversial 560 megawatt facility has been planned near Whitehall Farm, sitting on the boundary between East and West Dunbartonshire and close to the communities of Faifley and Hardgate.
The land – popular with walkers and cyclists – is also near a concentration of prehistoric rock art, discovered in the 19th century.
It includes the Cochno Stone, which dates back to around 3000-2000 BCE and has over 90 carved symbols. It’s considered a valuable part of Scotland’s archaeological and cultural heritage.
Despite strong local opposition, the site is now set to become one of the biggest battery storage facilities in the country, which ministers insist is a key step towards Net Zero.
‘It was our escape from everything’
STV NewsTracy Campbell, whose mum was one of the first residents of Faifley, grew up in the area.
She says the facility would potentially be a threat to the area’s archaeological heritage.
“It was our playground – our escape from everything. There’s some Neolithic rock art, and it is very unique – these are stones we still don’t fully understand the meaning of.
“Everything is disappearing at such an alarming rate – a lot of green space.
“I worry for the environment and the elderly. It may never be right again.
“It’s such a beautiful place, and it’s such a shame that it will be destroyed.”
STV NewsMargaret Hamilton added: “We’ve been fighting this for two and a half years; our voices are not being heard.
“We’d like to take this forward as a community who use this land for mental health, cycling, walking and spending summers.
“We all object and say no.”
‘We’re disillusioned’
Jane Forbes lives across from the site.
“We’re a bit disillusioned that this is going ahead,” she said.
“I think it is a money-making scheme by the company that proposed it, by the government, and by the landowner.
“All of these people will make money out of this project to the detriment of the greenbelt the land is on.”
STV NewsJane also warned that the one-way road is not suitable for construction.
“The traffic on the main road will be chaotic,” she added.
“There are still a lot of hurdles to go through before it goes ahead. No one can say for sure when this is going to happen.”
STV News
SuppliedThe Cochno Road facility is one of hundreds of battery sites either operational or approved across the country.
Proposals for the site would include a 560MW energy storage system with a substation, security fencing, CCTV, security lighting and operate over 40 years.
It would be made up of a number of container units which would then house the battery systems and associated infrastructure.
Each container would look like a standard metal ISO/shipping container and would also be soundproof.
But locals have raised concerns over the risk of fire.
“It’s ridiculous this is being contemplated,” James McKenna said.
“There’s the potential for a disaster in a highly populated area – you’ve also got care homes and kennels nearby.
“I’m concerned about everyone in this community.”
STV News‘People are very anxious’
The development has cross-party political opposition. SNP MSP Marie McNair, who represents Clydebank and Milngavie, and West Dunbartonshire Labour MP Douglas McAllister both said they were “incredibly disappointed” by the government’s decision.
McAllister said: “No one is against clean green energy, but it has to be the right place and the right scale. It’s the wrong type in the wrong place.
“There’s the obvious loss of biodiversity, but locals also have concerns over the safety of these types of sites. They are very anxious.
“Ministers must listen to the people and reject this application.”
STV NewsMarie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, said she has met with Apatura, spoken with constituents, and visited the site, but remains opposed to the development.
“I’ve engaged with the Scottish Government, Apatura, and local residents for months, raising serious concerns and seeking answers. I visited the site and voiced my objections early on, due to the impact on the greenbelt.
“Following the decision, I wrote to the Scottish Government to express my disappointment and urge a reconsideration, highlighting the concerns of my constituents.”
The site near Clydebank is the eleventh storage project approved for renewables firm Apatura in the last two years. More than 240 battery projects are planned or already operating across Scotland.
STV NewsApatura says it hosted two local consultation events and takes residents’ concerns seriously. A Scottish Government spokesperson said impacts on nature and heritage are always considered.
Andrew Philpott, chief development officer at Apatura, said: “The Whitehall project is in a carefully chosen strategic location that will directly support the UK’s energy security strategy.
“Projects like Whitehall will directly contribute to stabilising energy prices and reducing bills for households and businesses, and are also integral to the UK’s goals of cutting emissions and boosting energy independence and security.
“Safety is Apatura’s top priority. We take our responsibility to comply with all standards and regulations that are set out by the relevant authorities very seriously.”
STV NewsA spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council explained that the application was made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, meaning the decision rested with the Scottish Government, not the Council.
As a consultee, the Council initially objected to the proposal in May 2024. However, by May 2025, after conditions were added and issues addressed, the objection was withdrawn.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Battery storage will play a role in the future energy mix of Scotland as it offers fast responding, dispatchable power when required to provide resilience to households and communities.
“Any potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process.”
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