'I feel sorry for the villagers' - battery energy storage system approved at village near Luton

Applicant Statera Energy submitted full plans for a battery energy storage system and infrastructure, with an access, landscaping and other works on 75 acres of land off Luton Road at Chalton.

The proposal is inappropriate development in the greenbelt, according to a report to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.

But the wider environmental benefits outweigh the harm caused, said the report. “The loss of Grade 2 and 3a agricultural land would not be permanent.”

Principal planning officer Peter Vosper told the committee: “The application consists of parcels of land on both sides of Luton Road in the open countryside.

“It’s a collection of agricultural fields, mainly for arable farming,” he said. “There are overhead wires across the site leading to Sandon substation. The batteries would be contained in 592 modified shipping containers. It’s a temporary use for 40 years.

“The proposed system would store electricity when energy generation on the national grid is high and demand is low, and releases it to the grid when there’s high demand or constrained supply.”

Independent Toddington councillor Mary Walsh said in a statement: “This application involves the loss of protected best and most versatile agricultural land from an area equivalent to 42 football pitches.

“Several fields in Chalton have been given permission for renewable energy components, such as battery storage and solar farms, because of its proximity to the substation.

“Despite these approvals, many have failed to be delivered. This is probably as well because there’s not enough capacity to connect them all to the substation, as confirmed by UK Power Networks.”

Chief executive officer of Greston Associates Limited Dave Etheridge explained: “We’ve been working with the applicant Statera for many years, including on the design of its proposals to ensure all relevant standards are met.

“A liaison framework is in place and agreed with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. If there’s anything outside the normal working parameters, the battery management system will instantly shut down the cabinet or the site.

“Statera also has its own security and monitoring office operating seven days a week.”

Asked about the battery lifespan, he replied: “It’s generally between ten and 12 years that a battery change takes place.”

Leighton Linslade North councillor Kevin Pughe said: “I feel sorry for the villagers, where the whole area is eventually urbanised and developed.

“Is there a chance the whole lot could go up or could it be contained? There would be a massive explosion of fire.

“I realise the engineering is sophisticated. But there’s the risk of foreign powers infiltrating our infrastructure creating accidents, terrorism and even arson.”

Mr Etheridge added: “The containers are required to self-combust during a fire, which stops it spreading.”

Conservative Clifton, Henlow and Langford councillor Richard Wenham acknowledged: “There’s a huge loss of agricultural land for admittedly a national benefit being forced on us by the Labour government.

“This company will make enormous amounts of money, so it’s disappointing the firm says it can’t do anything to help mitigate this locally. There are few grounds on which to oppose these renewable energy installations, otherwise I’d push for refusal.”

Conservative Dunstable West councillor Nigel Young warned: “The national grid runs right through Chalton, with everyone building a photovoltaic farm or putting battery sites up, so they will come to breaking point.”

Chalton Parish Council, Chalgrave Parish Council and Toddington Parish Council objected to the development, but it was approved by the committee.

Statera Energy says the site will store and deliver enough electricity to power the equivalent of 540,000 homes. The project is one of 77 currently under consideration as part of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) scheme and, if successful, will be deployed as a minimum 8-hour system, making it one of the UK’s largest battery storage projects.

It added its plans for the site include enhancing the local environment. Spanning 30 hectares, the project will achieve a significant biodiversity net gain by creating new habitats and supporting local ecology. Once operational, it will also provide green spaces and walking routes for the community.

Oliver Troup, development lead at Statera Energy, commented: “Securing planning for Sundon is a significant milestone for the project and reflects the extensive work undertaken with local stakeholders and the planning authority. Sundon is particularly exciting as it can store energy for a minimum of 8-hours and is part of Ofgem’s LDES allocation scheme. Large-scale battery storage like this helps manage variability in generation and demand, and we’re proud to be progressing another project that supports the UK’s energy transition.”

Construction of Sundon Storage is expected to begin later this decade, with the site fully operational by 2030.