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26
Jan
A screening request has been submitted to assess the environmental impact of a proposed battery storage unit in Knaresborough.
Harmony Energy has proposed the construction of a 200-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that would be situated in Scotton, near Low Moor Lane, and would operate for up to 40 years.
The project aims to support the UK's transition to renewable energy, as it continues to move away from fossil fuels and towards electricity.
Harmony Energy spokesperson Jack Kelly said:
We always adopt a grid-led approach to new developments. This site was selected due to its strategic suitability for connecting to the electricity grid, enabling us to support the UK’s energy transition.
This will play a critical role in securing the UK’s future energy supply by storing surplus renewable energy and dispatching it when demand is high. A system of this size could power up to 600,000 homes for two hours and help avoid approximately 23,900 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.
The site would cover approximately 5.68 hectares and will be situated across five agricultural fields.
The report noted that the site was in reasonable proximity to a nursery, a sports pitch, a primary school, and the settlement of Lingerfield.
These controversial projects are often opposed by campaigners for their visual impacts on the surrounding areas.
However, the report suggests that this will not be a significant problem and that any visual impacts will be of “minor magnitude”.
There are no areas or features in close proximity to the site which are protected for their landscape and scenic value, and most of the site is also surrounded by hedging. Therefore, it was determined that the proposed BESS should not impede on any visual amenities.
Harmony Energy said that a “robust landscaping plan” will be implemented to ensure this is the case.
The report also notes that the site does not include any listed buildings and does not lie within a conservation area.
The site does lie within one kilometre of a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
Mr Kelly said that the BESS would not impede on local wildlife however, stating that Harmony Energy supports nature and biodiversity by "protecting and enhancing biodiversity near our sites, and promising at least a 10% biodiversity net gain"
One of Harmony Energy's existing BESS's in Wormald Green
It was determined that the BESS itself would produce no air pollution or electromagnetic radiation. Traffic during construction would contribute to a limited amount of air and noise pollution, but this would be temporary.
Lighting is to operate on a motion sensor, as to not pollute the nearby amenities. A noise impact assessment would also be implemented to assess the impacts of the BESS on nearby residential areas.
As with all construction projects, there is a risk of spillage of oil or other liquids without mitigation or management procedures, but this risk is minor.
The report therefore deemed the project to pose very little threat to the surrounding population.
Mr Kelly explained how this project would affect the public:
This project will include a community benefit fund, providing an annual financial contribution to support or improve local services throughout the lifespan of the development. This ensures that local residents directly benefit from the proposal. We create employment opportunities and use local businesses wherever possible to support the project. Once operational, the facility would also contribute significantly to business rates for North Yorkshire Council.
To address other potential concerns, such as construction traffic and noise, we will include a detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan and Noise Assessment as part of our planning application. These measures aim to ensure that nearby residents are not negatively affected by the development.
No public right of ways will be affected by this project.
Mr Kelly explained that if planning permission is granted that this will be a multi-million-pound project which will create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
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