Agenda item

Construction of Greener Grid Park comprising of energy storage and grid balancing, along with associated infrastructure, landscaping and access

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officers with regards to the construction of Greer Grid Park comprising of energy storage and grid balancing, along with associated infrastructure, landscaping and access on land East of Spennymoor National Grid Station, Thinford Lane,  Thinford, DH6 5LB (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation which included a site location plan, aerial photographs of the site and elevation plans.

Mr Cheung, Applicant addressed the committee in support of the application as the development would help stabilise the electricity network to reduce costs to the bill payers.  Ferryhill Town Council supported the development as this would progress with renewable energy to the grid.  There had been no objections raised to the proposal.  Green Grid Park would generate energy to help address the climate emergency for a low carbon future and reduce the supply of fossil fuels.  There would be landscaping with shrubs to buffer the location near to Spennymoor substation. 

The construction would use shorter cables which would be less intrusive on the land.  As a good neighbour the company would invest £20,000 into local green initiatives for the community which would be available on the commencement of the construction.  He asked the community to support the officer’s recommendation for approval. 

Councillor J Elmer thanked the applicant for being patient and moved to recommend the application for approval as he was aware that there was a need to transition from fossil fuel to more sustainable sources of energy. 

Councillor C Martin seconded the application for approval as there were no planning reasons to reject the application.  He was concerned that there would be a lot of concrete laid spoiling the aesthetic of the area and that there would be a loss of green space. 

Councillor D Sutton-Lloyd asked if there could be any more landscaping above what had been agreed to provide even more screening.

The Applicant responded that the site was already adjacent to the substation which did not lend itself to enable any further landscaping other than what had been agreed. The affected area was leased from the landowner which was restrictive and trees could not be planted to the south due to the constraints of overhead power lines.  He stated that they had done as much as they could in relation to landscaping which was satisfactory for planning purposes.

Resolved:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions detailed in the report.

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