Battle over controversial Leeds battery plant moves to appeal hearing
Controversial plans to build a battery plant could go ahead if an energy firm wins an appeal against the council.
A planning inspector will hear arguments for and against the proposed scheme near Ledston and Allerton Bywater.
Harmony Energy was refused planning permission by Leeds City Council after more than 1,000 objected.
A panel of councillors cited fire safety fears and the impact on green belt land off Newton Lane.
They went against the advice of council officers who recommended the scheme for approval, saying the land could be classed as “grey belt” and less environmentally important.
An appeal hearing will be held at Leeds Civic Hall on March 18.
A spokesperson for action group Save Our Villages said: “The appeal relates to a site that has already attracted strong local concern due to its location in protected countryside”
The group has criticised the council’s handling of the appeal process.
The spokesperson claimed the council had conceded the grey belt argument “behind closed doors” in documents submitted to the hearing.
They said: “Campaigners stress that their concerns relate not only to the development itself but to maintaining confidence in the planning system.
“They argue that when councillors refuse an application against officer advice, the council has a responsibility to ensure that the decision taken by elected members is robustly and independently defended.”
If eventually built, the battery plant would be used to store electricity that could be fed back into the grid when supplies were low.
Harmony said the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would help tackle climate change and stabilise energy supplies.
A council spokesperson said: “As the decision to refuse permission remains the subject of an ongoing appeal, it would not be appropriate for the council to comment in detail at this stage.
“However, all planning appeals are dealt with bearing in mind a duty to act in the public and taxpayer interest.
“In representing the council, officers act professionally and objectively, taking into account national and local planning policy, case law and national legislation.”