Appeal for major energy storage system rejected

Plans for a large battery energy storage system (BESS) in Axminster, East Devon were recently rejected by the local planning committee, following an unsuccessful appeal by the developer. The inspector's decision stated that the mitigation measures proposed by the developer would not sufficiently balance the potential harm against the benefits of the project.

The main concerns revolved around the risk of battery units catching fire and the potential contamination of groundwater if a fire occurred. Despite efforts to increase the size of water tanks, relocate some of them, and increase separation distances, these changes were deemed insufficient by the inspector. The decision highlights the potential risks of BESS installations, particularly regarding water pollution and the challenge of containing fire-related risks.