Plans for battery energy storage system comprising of 72 containers at Bicker Bar submitted

Plans for a large Battery Energy Storage System on a village site have been submitted.

Applicant Vicarage Drove BESS want to site 72 6.1m x 2.4m containers, each 2.9m high, on land at Bicker Bar.

Battery storage systems store electricity from the grid at times of low demand and high generation, allowing it to be exported back into the grid at times of higher demand or system stress.

“There is an ever-increasing reliance on renewable forms of energy generation, such as wind and solar, to supply the UK’s energy demands,” the planning statement prepared by by agent Roden and submitted to Boston Borough Council explained.

Neighbouring South Holland District Council recently granted planning permission for six smaller battery boxes to be placed around the district in Spalding, Gosberton and Holbeach.

The BESS would be be situated on agricultural land with access via Vicarage Drove.

“The site is located to the south east of Vicarage Drove, approximately 1.2km north west of the settlement of Northorpe and 2.4km west of the settlement of Bicker Bar,” the application continued.

“The site is surrounded by agricultural land on all sides. To the north, the site is bound by a mature hedgerow, beyond which lies further agricultural land bordered by hedgerows and trees.

“The containers and ancillary infrastructure would be located within a secure compound surrounded by a 4m high security acoustic fence, with CCTV security cameras.

“The proposed site layout also includes an attenuation pond, a landscaping scheme and grid connection cable route to Bicker Fen National Grid Substation.”

Two cable route options are being applied for and assessed.