Energy firm launches appeal over battery storage plan refusal
An energy firm is seeking to overturn a council decision to block the building of a battery storage plant.
Leeds City Council said a formal appeal had been lodged after planning permission was declined for the scheme near Ledston and Allerton Bywater.
Harmony Energy sought permission for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), designed to store electricity which can be fed into the grid.
Councillors refused permission last August after concerns were raised over the impact on green belt land.
More than 1,000 objections were received and fire safety concerns were also heard by the city’s North and East plans panel.
Speaking at a full council meeting, deputy council leader Jonathan Pryor said: “The council does have a duty to respond to the appeal according to the statutory provisions.
“I think it’s entirely appropriate for resource to be expended to do that.”
The Planning Inspectorate will consider the appeal, lodged at the end of December.
The organisation’s website shows statements and comments from interested parties are being invited up until January 27.
The plans panel was told the proposed site off Newton Lane could be classed as “grey belt”, less environmentally important than green belt land.
That was disputed by action group Save Our Villages and council leader James Lewis, who represents Kippax and Methley and spoke against the scheme.
Harmony said the scheme would be safe and boost economic growth.
Councillors were told it was likely Harmony would appeal after refusals of two other BESS schemes – at Bramham and Carlton, near Rothwell – were overturned.