New battery storage development could close outdoor education charity situated in woodland near Lesmahagow

An outdoor education charity in South Lanarkshire says it could be forced to close if plans for a battery storage and solar development site are approved by the Scottish Government.

Loch Wood Community Woodland near Lesmahagow is owned by the Blackwood Community Estate and provides an environmental education programme at the site, with up to 200 pupils from P3 to secondary school visiting each week.

Recently, the woodland became one of the first places to be awarded international Nature30 status by the Scottish Government, amid efforts to reverse habitat loss.

NatureScot, which ranks Scotland as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, previously pledged to safeguard at least 30% of the country by the year 2030.

However, the Blackwood Community Estate believe a proposed 200MW battery and solar development surrounding the area could significantly impact the environment.

The application for the construction of 3,600 panels, a battery energy storage system, Scottish
Power Energy Networks substation, and associated infrastructure was first lodged in 2023 by Green Switch Capital.

The charity claims that NatureScot confirmed the development would directly impact the Loch Wood environment.

In a response to the the proposal, the government body stated that disturbance to protected species such as badgers and bats “is likely to be unavoidable”.

Blackwood Community Estate has raised numerous concerns over the plans, including potential fire hazards and the site’s location directly beside the charity.

Due to the proximity of the site, local parents have told the charity they “would not not be happy to allow their children to experience outdoor learning” at Loch Wood.

A proposed 200MW battery and solar development could be built within close proximity of the charity. Blackwood Estate

The charity believe this may result in its closure.

Terry Wise, chair of Blackwood Estate Community Association, said: “The Scottish Government is overriding any sensible and considered appraisal of large, technically complex energy developments, at the expense of local communities and the environment it claims it wishes to protect.

“We wholly appreciate you must receive huge numbers of requests regarding energy developments – but we believe ours is a particular case, given our site’s new Nature30 status and the Scottish Government’s refusal to acknowledge our environmental concerns.”

Clydesdale MSP, Máiri McAllan, says she has worked closely alongside the community in Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill to convey “their concerns to the developer and others”.

The SNP representative confirmed she had made submissions to the ECU, written to relevant ministers, met with the campaign group, and held a roundtable meeting with developers and the community.

The housing secretary said: “In my submission to the ECU, I stated that when a development of this type and scale is intended for development – not remotely but on agricultural land within a residential and recreational area – it is, in my view, essential that (i) community support be garnered, (ii) community assets be preserved and (iii) community benefit commensurate with the scale of the development, be agreed beyond doubt.

“I am deeply personally committed to net zero and to the energy transition as a vital part of this but believe decarbonisation must be achieved via a just transition in which communities are empowered, meaningfully engaged and from which those living around energy developments can derive the greatest possible benefit.

The location is visited by up to 200 pupils each week. Blackwood Estate

“On behalf of my constituents, I will continue to ensure that their views are heard and understood within the process.”

Over 700 people have formally objected to the construction of the site, with pupils who utilise the outdoor education area writing that it is a “crucial part” of the curriculum and that the solar panels would take the “fun away”.

South Lanarkshire Council confirmed that their formal response is subject to a report from the local authority’s planning committee.

This will then be considered by Scottish ministers to “determine what action should be taken in terms of the application”.

The proposal is still in the consultation phase.

The Scottish Government said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on a live application.”