Mid Ulster planners approve battery energy storage system next to electricity substation

The new facility will be built on lands 500 metres northeast of 32 Drumkee Road, Dungannon.

The planning application was lodged on behalf of Wilmar LLP, Drumnabreeze Road, Magheralin.

In their determination, Mid Ulster planning officers wrote: “Policy RNW1 (Renewable Energy) is a local planning policy within the Mid Ulster Local Development Plan that facilitates renewable energy production in appropriate locations.

“It balances the wider economic and environmental benefits of reaching net-zero targets against local landscape, environmental, and residential impacts.

“The proposed BESS directly aligns with these objectives by supporting the integration of renewable generation and contributing to the stability and resilience of the electricity network.

“The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) confirms that decision makers will have to balance economic growth and the environmental impacts on air quality and energy supply for industry and transportation.

“In the RDS, Regional Guideline 5 promotes the need to deliver a sustainable and secure energy supply, referring to developing smart grid initiatives to improve the responsiveness of the electricity grid to facilitate new forms of renewable generation and to improve reliability, productivity and energy efficiency.

“I am content this proposed development of a BESS would comply with, and contribute to achieving the promotive principles of the RDS.

“Consultation responses have been received from Environmental health, Public Health and DfI Road safety, and no concerns were raised in relation to human health.

“There has been no indication of any issues relating to sound or any other factors impacting the neighbouring residential amenity.

“The application site is tucked in behind the existing substation and therefore the visual impact on the area is minimal.

“In addition, the proposal is in keeping with the surrounding uses and therefore will have minimal intrusion on the landscape character.

“It is my opinion that the development has been properly described and there is sufficient evidence available on the emerging [BESS] technology.

“In addition, any potential adverse impacts have been assessed, understood and addressed and therefore it is my opinion that the proposal can be considered acceptable.

“The revised Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) now explicitly recognises BESS as an important component of the electricity system, and as a technology that supports the transition to a low-carbon energy network.

“The proposed facility at Drumkee Road is designed to perform precisely this function by enabling electricity to be stored and released, in order to maintain grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy generation.

“In relation to noise, the Environmental Health Department has considered the proposal to be within acceptable levels and is unlikely to impact nearby residential amenity.

“The NI Fire & Rescue Service were also consulted on this proposal as the enforcing authority for fire and rescue services.

“Council considers that greater weight should be afforded to the benefits of the BESS proposals.

“System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) has not provided sufficient evidence to sustain the claim that approving this scheme would prejudice long-term grid resilience and security of supply, or limit the ability to decarbonise the electricity system and constrain progress towards statutory climate targets.”

The planning application was listed for determination at the August 4 Planning committee meeting of Mid Ulster District Council.

Principal Planning Officer, Phelim Marrion commented: “An assessment of the proposed scheme against the relevant and current planning policies has been undertaken, and the scheme is considered to meet the planning policies for this type of development.

“The main issue of contention with this scheme is an objection from SONI to the location of the proposed development.

“They have advised that they are planning to expand the existing substation into the area where this scheme is proposed and have identified a number of issues of concern regarding the impacts on their proposals, as well as wider impacts for the network and climate policies if this is approved.

“The objections have been fully documented, and members are advised that there is no current planning application under consideration and no permission has been granted for SONI to expand the Tamnamore substation.

“A letter was received from SONI following publication of the planning report and the agenda for this meeting.

“It repeats claims that this proposal, if approved, would impede SONI’s ability to plan the transmission system in an efficient, economic and coordinated manner, and would conflict with adopted and emerging planning policy.

“It further repeats claims that the proposal would, if approved, have wider strategic implications, including for regionally significant energy infrastructure and the energy transition.

“These matters have been considered by officers and are all covered in their report. The recommendation for this proposal remains approval of the development.

“We have consulted with the NI Fire and Rescue Service in consideration of the planning application, and they have had an instrumental part in the overall determination of the proposal.

“They have taken into account the types of batteries that have been proposed here [and have] been fully involved in the determination of the application.”

Councillor Dominic Molloy (SF) had concerns over “proliferation” and noise issues in relation to battery storage facilities.

He commented: “There are a number of these storage facilities planned for the wider area around this location.

“I’m wondering what the impact would be, either on plans already approved or on plans that may come forward in the future, because it’s all right looking at one of these in isolation, but there is a proliferation of them within the immediate area of that substation.

“If the substation is going to be expanded further, is there potential for even more battery storage units to be approved?

“The one that is already in place has impacted the local community. There is a low-level noise which is not considered a statutory nuisance, but for those who can hear that low-level noise, it certainly is affecting their lives.

“I’m just wondering where that leaves future applications.”

Senior Planning Officer, Melvin Bowman told the Dungannon DEA representative: “You’re quite right. There are a number of applications starting to emerge in and around this location, and at least one has been approved to date.

“What we’re looking at very carefully, and what we are required to do with any application, is to consider the cumulative effects as they evolve over time.

“The team will be looking at where these developments are being proposed and what impact they may have on landscape character.

“We are also working very closely with Environmental Health on issues around noise and other concerns that local people may have.

“Each application is assessed on its own merits, like anything else, but we are not blind to the fact that there are other applications competing for what is clearly an attractive location for that particular purpose.”

The recommendation to approve the planning application was proposed by Councillor Denise Johnston (SDLP) and seconded by committee chair, Councillor Gavin Bell (SF).