Battery storage site in Bicker aims to stockpile renewable energy
Plans to construct a battery storage facility (BSF) to stockpile renewable energy have been mooted.
A ‘screening opinion’ concerning the BSF – which would be sited on land south of Vicarage Grove at Bicker near to the area’s substation – has been sought from planners.
The proposed facility is anticipated to comprise 28 battery energy storage systems, devices which store renewable energy such as wind and solar for when the power is needed most.
It would have a footprint of approximately 0.36 hectares.
“The proposed development would contribute to energy security and support the move to low carbon electricity generation through assisting the National Grid to manage network problems associated with the intermittency of energy supplied from renewable energy technologies,” the screening letter from Simon Newell, a senior consultant working on behalf of applicant AXIS said.
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“The site would be largely screened from sensitive visual receptors by existing tree and hedgerow planting, and would introduce new planting to further screen views from the closest residential receptors located off Middle Fen Drove and Ing Road.”
An access road is also proposed to run to the site.
A response by Boston Borough Council’s principal environmental health officer Nick Davis read: “The main issue as far as Environmental Health is concerned is that of noise from the equipment.
“Whilst the location is quite isolated it is also a relatively low noise area.”
The applicant has indicated a noise assessment would accompany a planning application.
The screening opinion was put to Boston Borough Council to decide whether an Environmental Impact Assessments is required to be submitted with any future planning application.
These assessments are requires by local planning authorities for developments that may have significant environmental effects.
One of the largest battery energy storage systems in the world was given the green light to be built in nearby Spalding.
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