CONTROVERSIAL plans for the installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS), together with associated infrastructure on farm land south of Station Road, Penketh are being studied Warrington planning chiefs.
The scheme, submitted b Net Zero One Ltd, inciude security fencing, CCTV, landscaping, water tanks and on-site biodiversity net gain features.
They have attracted objections from numerous local residents and Warrington South MP Sarah Hall hosted a community meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns.
Planning permission is sought for the operation of the installation for 30-years, after which it would be decommissioned and the land returned to agriculture.
The site comprises two large, Green Belt fields with further agricultural land beyond which would be used as an area for biodiversity net gain. The north western boundary is formed by woodland, beyond which is Fiddlers Ferry Golf Course. The southern boundary isd formed by a thick line of trees and a track that sits alongside the associated infrastructure for the disused Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.
In addition, the site is surrounded by recreational activities and routes which include the Mersey Way , the Sankey Canal towpath and the Fiddlers Ferry Sailing Club.
Vehicular access is from the A562 Widnes Road.
The site for the installation itself covers 7.66 acres.
Objections mainly relate to damage to visual amenity, potential noise nuisance for nearby residents, flood risks, damage to wildlife, fire risks, etc.
Planning officers are studying the proposals and will make a decision shortly.
1 Comment
I live in Penketh and at least 400 local residents are completely against this proposal because of it’s location. Most residents are not against the idea it is simply the location.
There is a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) currently being built by SSE on the old Fiddlers Ferry site. This Fiddlers Ferry site is being developed by Peel Holdings for warehousing and housing. The housing will be alongside the boundary of this propsed Green Nation BESS proposal.
There are issues around the single access road (Station Road) which is unadopted, very narrow and has very deep potholes and the road is not maintained.
There are 2 infant schools, Penketh South and St Vincent’s very near this proposed site and 2 care homes also very near with Meadowview and 3 Elms on the boundary to the proposed development with housing very close too which is a worry if there is an explosion or a vapour release of toxic fumes from these containers with the prevailing wind blowing the fumes into Penketh.
There will be noise 365 days a year 24 x 7 from the fans within these containers.
This propsal must be refused. If Green Nation want to build a BESS why not work with Peel Holdings to find an area with good access and where residents won’t be put at risk.