Perth and Kinross councillors approve another battery storage plant against planning advice

Perth and Kinross councillors have voted – against the planning department’s recommendation – to approve another renewable energy development in Abernethy.

RPS submitted an application, on behalf of applicant Surrey-based Elgin Energy Es Co, to develop a 30MW battery storage facility on agricultural land belonging to Cordon Farm.

The committee had been recommended to refuse the application for several reasons which included concern about the cumulative impact on the landscape when combined with other renewable energy developments in the area.

PKC’s Planning and Placemaking Committee voted by seven votes to four to approve the application when it met on Wednesday, September 3.

Almond and Earn ward councillor David Illingworth – who regularly walks his dog in this area and supported the application – claimed this latest development was “less impactful than the other three” in the Abernethy area previously approved.

The report of handling – put before councillors – cited three reasons for refusal:

“significant landscape character and visual impact concerns” due to its size, appearance, location and the cumulative impact from surrounding renewable energy developments
“inadequate” measures to offset landscape concerns; the proposed planting and landscaping would take time to grow
failure to fully consider the impact on Carey, a Roman temporary camp and enclosure and nationally designated historical asset.

Elgin Energy Es Co propose to erect 30 battery storage container units on the site, which sits 600m North East of Cordon Farm and about a mile from the Abernethy substation to which it would connect.

Historic Environment Scotland objected to the application citing a need for further information to determine the impact on Carey Roman Temporary camp and enclosure.

National Gas Transmission carried out an assessment and found the development site to be within the high risk zone from National Gas Transmission’s apparatus. It requested all plans and a description of the proposal be submitted for review prior to works starting. There is a high pressure pipeline 150m from the site boundary so National Gas Transmission asked for an Earthing Report to be submitted.

Network Rail did not object but asked for a planning condition requesting full compliance with the Construction Traffic Management Plan and The Transport Statement.

There were three letters of objection. Concerns included: fire risk,
flood risk and the adverse impact on the River Tay Special Area of Conservation.

Farmer and landowner Michael Wilson told councillors his family had farmed the land for the past 106 years. He said he himself had farmed it for the past 21 years “with the aim to pass it on to next generation in better shape than he found it both environmentally and financially”. The farmer said diversify the use of the land for this development was about “long-term thinking and making the farm resilient for the future”.

Mr Wilson added: “I can understand your concerns regarding cumulative visual impact of this project but – let me be clear – there is no other battery project consented or in planning on my farm. The battery site is well away from any other battery project around Abernethy, well away from any housing and has received very little objection. I will not stop the general public enjoying the countryside around my farm.”

Mr Wilson told councillors the site – although used for crops – was “very low yielding” and not regarded as prime agricultural land. The 0.8 hectare site is just 0.5 per cent of his 900 acres. He told councillors the income would be reinvested into the farm “to improve yields” and in paying and training the seven local residents he currently employs.

Convener Ian Massie asked why this particular site – when he had 900 acres -had been chosen, given the concern raised by council planners about the location.

Mr Wilson said: “The proximity to the substation and the grade of the arable land was my main consideration when originally discussing and choosing a location with Elgin Energy.”

The SNP councillor then questioned the proposed planted screening for the “very open” site, which would be slow to grow.

Mr Wilson said: “Maybe a condition could be added for putting more established trees in?

“The screening does connect with an existing woodland and it will wrap round the whole site. It’ll maybe look a bit stark to begin with but – over time – it will blend in and no one will really know it’s there.”

Independent Kinross-shire ward councillor Dave Cuthbert moved for approval – subject to planning conditions including addressing the concerns raised by Historic Environment Scotland and planting more mature trees around the site.

It was seconded by Liberal Democrat councillor Claire McLaren who supported the economic impact of the development.

Conservative councillor Bob Brawn moved for refusal, seconded by SNP councillor Mike Williamson.

Councillors voted by seven votes to four to approve the application.

Supporting the application Almond and Earn ward councillor David Illingworth said: “This is a site I know well. I walk the dog along this track often.

“The committee has previously approved three battery energy storage systems in the area and this is less impactful than the other three.

“It’s a small site. It’s about a kilometre away from the village and largely hidden – by the railway – from the village. We’ve just had two very large solar farms built in this location.”

He added: “I don’t think this small site will have a significant impact on the quality of life of the people of Abernethy.”