One of the world’s largest battery energy storage systems at Spalding Power Station recommended for approval at planning committee

Permission to build one of the world’s largest battery energy storage systems in Spalding could be granted next week.

The Spalding Battery Energy Storage System project has been proposed by InterGen for land next to its existing power station at West Marsh Road.

It would store about 550 megawatts - the equivalent to the entire annual electricity use of 177 homes - to be deployed for two hours when demand allows.

Plans for the system, which would be unmanned, will be discussed at South Holland District Council’s planning committee meeting next Wednesday - and planning officers have recommended that permission is granted.

Developer contributions were set out as part of a Section 106 agreement - which have been listed as necessary conditions for approval.

They total approximately £2million, including £900,000 towards air quality monitoring.

Contributions would also have to be made towards cycleways and footways, apprenticeships and education, town centre improvements and biodiversity enhancements.

National planning requirements say: “The planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future”.

The storage system being built could also see also up to six new jobs created - including two apprenticeship opportunities.

• Plans for a new residential development, replacement allotments and a new cemetery in Crowland will also be discussed at the meeting.

Ashwood Homes is looking to make an amendment to a condition for previously approved plans at Parish Mews, James Road.

A tree preservation order was previously confirmed in 2019 which protected an ash tree within the former Allotment Gardens, close to a bungalow at the site.

Rather than apply to remove the tree, the developer felled it in January this year. Ashwood is now looking to agree the layout without the protected tree - and planning officers have recommended that the application is approved subject to a number of conditions.

• A proposed bungalow at land on Cransegate South, Holbeach St Johns has been recommended for refusal.

A pre-meeting report reads: “In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, there is not an essential need for an additional dwelling in this countryside location.

“Although the proposal would satisfy the applicant’s pesonal needs and make a small contribution towards the local rural economy and the supply of housing required to meet the needs of present and future generations within the district these benefits are outweighed by the harms that the proposal would cause in terms of other social and environmental factors.”

• Outline permission is also being sought for the demolition of the Duke of York public house in Gosberton Risegate - to be replaced with a residential development.

The public house has been closed for two years, with Sue Goodenough’s application being recommend for approval by officers.

• Officers have also recommended that an application for the erection of a dwelling at Chancery Lane, Holbeach is approved.

Three three-bed house was originally discussed by the planning committee in July but, due to ‘ambiguities’ with the planning report, it has been referred for re-consideration.

• The erection of four dwellings, one detached garage and the demolition of an existing bungalow at Low Lane, Holbeach has been rcommended for approval.

• The change of use from residential to residential/child minding business at 2 School Lane, Lutton has been recommended for approval.

• Officers have recommended that a full application for the erection of a residential dwelling consisting of six dwellings at Off Maple Way, Donington should be granted permission.