A Lancashire farmer’s field is slated for transformation into a pioneering battery plant designed to store renewable energy, effectively functioning as a reservoir for power until demand on the national grid escalates.
Located off Green Lane in Barton, Preston, near the M6, the rural expanse will accommodate the construction of 64 storage units. This innovative venture will facilitate the storage of surplus energy generated by wind and solar sources, which can then be utilized during peak demand periods.
Municipal council members have granted approval for the “novel” project. Notably, a council planning case officer, Jonathan Evans, highlighted potential fire risks associated with the technology. Despite the concerns, the Local Democracy Reporting Service noted the absence of submitted comments from the public regarding the proposed development, situated north of Mount Pleasant Farm.
Baron Battery Storage, the company spearheading the endeavor, contends that the initiative qualifies as a “sustainable development,” while emphasizing the limited likelihood of significant accidents and asserting there would be no negative impact on human health due to the project.
Acknowledging the concerns raised, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service suggested that Baron Battery Storage formulate a comprehensive risk reduction strategy. Subsequently, the fire brigade reviewed the resultant strategy and deemed it “satisfactory.”
Initial resistance from National Highways, driven in part by apprehensions surrounding the potential effects of a fire on the nearby M6 motorway, was resolved as the applicant cooperated with road authorities and devised a fire safety strategy. Following this collaboration, National Highways withdrew its objection, contingent on the provision of an emergency response plan.
While a few council members dissented, deeming the project concerning and its technology in an early developmental stage, the project advances as a forward-looking response to renewable energy management, positioning Lancashire at the forefront of sustainable energy storage solutions.
