Planning Committee Rejects Application for Battery Storage Facility

I was delighted with the decision that the Planning application for the Battery Storage Site on Chapel Lane was refused. This is a great win for everyone who put in objections, and it has taken a great deal of work to ensure the case was made on planning grounds.

The Planning Committee at their meeting on 1 December 2022 agreed with the officer’s report. It mentioned that over 300 comments were received objecting to the proposals, including the letters that I submitted and objections from local groups. The report rejected the application on the grounds that it would cause harm to the Green Belt and the applicant did not look for alternative sites. Whilst it is vital that there are alternative forms fo storing energy, there is an alternative site close to the grid in Sandwell. The applicant should have considered that site not Green belt land.