Inchinnan resident living between battery storage site and solar park fears for future

Concerns have been raised about plans for a battery storage project in Inchinnan as a resident conceded the situation “feels completely hopeless”.

Lightsource bp is working on a proposal to fund, develop and operate a 400MW/2400MWh energy facility on 67 acres of land at Houston Road.

The venture – expected to consist of approximately 160 battery containers – is intended to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

But Lyndsey Martin, who would be a neighbour of the development if it went ahead, is worried about the potential impact on privacy, noise and property value.

She said: “I grew up in a rural area and it was always my idea that I wanted to get back to that and that’s what we did and of course now this proposal could be next to us.

“On the other side of the road from us, Renfrewshire Council has granted planning permission for a solar park, so it’s the fact that we could be sandwiched between two.

“It now looks like, if this goes ahead, there will be these battery containers on the other side.

“It’s extremely disappointing that both could go ahead, it’s like a double whammy.

“It feels as if our privacy and this tranquil environment we’ve chosen to live in are being taken away from us.

“I’m concerned about the security, I’m concerned about the value of my property, and I’m also concerned that nobody seems to know what the noise implications will be and what the health implications could be.

“Everybody tells you there will be none, but is that true? I can’t believe that there’s not another appropriate site that could be used. It feels completely hopeless because we’re the only property that it’s going to affect.

“This is obviously not something that’s happened overnight and yet we weren’t made aware of it at an earlier stage.”

The initiative has been described as a “key facet” of Lightsource bp’s “mission” to accelerate a transition to a low carbon future.

As well as generating clean energy, the company has said the projects are designed so they can also act as a “haven” for wildlife.

It added that a biodiversity management plan will be developed in conjunction with its planning application.

The plans were shared at a consultation event at Inchinnan Parish Church Hall on Wednesday, August 6, and will be presented again at the same venue on Wednesday, September 17.

Maggie Morrison, secretary of Inchinnan Community Council, said: “The community council is on summer recess just now, with our next meeting on Tuesday, September 2, where this matter will be an agenda item for discussion.

“We have had several contacts from residents concerned about the development and what the ramifications are for local people.

“As the secretary for the community council, I have advised residents to attend the consultation sessions if they can and direct their questions and concerns to the consultants.

“Inchinnan Community Council will, of course, represent the voice of the community and do our best to support residents.”

Lightsource bp said the project is “at an early stage of development”, with a spokesperson adding: “The first round consultation event on Wednesday, August 6, gave us the opportunity to present initial information and to speak to the local community about the project.

“Work is ongoing on a range of environmental and technical assessments, and the results of these assessments, along with feedback from the public consultation events, will be used to inform the final proposal for this project.

“While we cannot comment on individual circumstances, we actively engage with residents who live closest to the proposed project location to understand and discuss concerns.

“We are committed to working collaboratively to develop an energy project that fits sensitively into the local landscape that will help contribute to Scotland’s ambition of reaching net zero emissions by 2045.

“We also welcome the opportunity to work with Inchinnan Community Council as well as the Inchinnan Development Trust throughout the consultation process.”